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Friday, December 10, 2010

First Check Up Appointment in Boston Today

Today, we had the first of many follow up appointments in Boston.  These are weekly appointments at Dana Farber to check on my progress.  Today's appointment was at 9:00AM.  To make things easier, the kids spent the night at Reggie and Vicki's.  We were out of the house by 6:15AM.  Crystal had packed me snacks because I cannot eat food from restaurants for the next few months.  Food tastes terrible right now.  The radiation pretty much wiped out my taste buds.  I am struggling to get 1000 calories a day into my system.  As a result, I only weigh about 160 lbs.

We hit a bit of traffic, but ended up getting there around 8:40.  They drew a bunch of blood and then we waited to speak with the nurse practitioner.  She went over my blood counts and said that things looked great.  I am right where I should be on the progress meter.  I am at day 28.  Meaning I am 28 days past transplant.  We also found out that it is OK to have adult visitors at the house as long as they are not sick and have not been around anyone sick.

Overall, I am feeling OK.  It is great to be home.  I actually drove today and picked up the kids.  It was nice to feel "normal" and be part of society again.  The nurse told us today my taste buds may take several weeks/months to redevelop.  Until that happens, I need to just keep trying different foods until something clicks.

Also Crystal and I wanted to also thank everyone who was involved with and who generously donated towards the benefit being held at the Gold Room tonight. 

6 comments:

Glennyse said...

Oh so glad to read your update tonight. So happy that you had a good report today. Mike and I are going to the Gold Room and we are thinking of you Kiddo. Keep up your great work...how about some homemade Peanut butter fudge????Let me know I would love to make you something. You will find something that tastes good real soon I am sure. Hugs from here to you and Crystal..Glennyse & Mike

Jenn Roark said...

Glad to hear that things are looking great. I am so sorry about the food thing. I am sure your situation is ten times worse than what mine was but during my treatment it would attack my saliva glands and I literally could not process food and it was TERRIBLE (nobody understood when I tried to explain it either). I wouldn't wish that on anyone so I sure do feel for you!!! Hang in there...at least you know you are on your way back to normalcy and it will be here before you know it. Had a good time last night at the Gold Room...we all had a drink for you!!! Take care and just get better!!!

sonya said...

glad you did some things that felt "normal" always a nice feeling!! had a blast last night and felt so grateful to have such an awesome group of old friends! we are all very lucky. lots of laughing. how nice of crystal's co-workers to put it on! i met Pam...really nice gal! Had a 24oz. preylude in your honor:) felt it this morning:).....
keep on getting better! hugs and hope to visit soon:)

Kyle said...

Hey Chad, glad to hear you were able to get out and drive and pick up the kids. You always seem to put thing into perspective for me...I usually complain when I have to pick up the kids...I won't do that again :) You are a stud...see you soon.

Mollie said...

I would take her up on that PB fudge if I were you :)

Jamie J Mulherin said...

Hey Chad, First of all, even I haven't gotten an offer of PB fudge. :)If you are lucky she might even offer her TV mix.

I hear ya on the taste bud thing it took me about a month to get a 'taste' back that I actually enjoyed. Not that I have been through anything like this but a lot of medicine does this trick I guess. Fruit Punch worked for me and BK Chicken sandwich or nugets. Hang in there, one taste at a time.