Remembrance Day Weekend

It is my daughter Zoe's 18th birthday this weekend, and she is visiting from UBCO in Kelowna for the occasion. It is so nice to see and hug her. Her warmth gives me a huge boost. Of course, I had not planned to be in hospital at this time, but circumstances dictated otherwise. The good news is that the new medicine is working and I am eating more, which is the first step to getting home again.

Current entertainment includes the Jeeves and Wooster series, a hilarious and light British comedy. Just finished reading the Witch of Babylon, a historical thriller, and returning to the lighthearted Alexander McCall Smith series "Ladies Detective Agency" set in Botswana.

Other good news is that my energy has been getting better and I have been able to ride the stationary bike daily for  a light spin, and do some resistance exercises, inspired by one of Werner's affirmations "I am getting stronger every day". These kinds of affirmations and the support of many continue to sustain me.

Update

I am sitting here enjoying the wonderful fall colours through my large picture window knowing it is cooling off a lot out there. I still need some more time in hospital, but the new medications seem to be doing their job, and I am hopeful to soon start taking them by mouth so I can go home again.  After a while, one becomes more philosophic about these things and I know we can just go one day at a time.

I had a nice visit with Martin and Yvonne the other day and it was nice to catch up on what is going on in the community. It seems distant, but is so much a part of me.

I am reading books and going through the Black Adder series. It is such a twisted British humour show that    I can only take one show at a time.

Dr John Shepherd

Yvonne and Martin

The prayers and support continue to help sustain me and I am always grateful.

Tune up

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday I wasn't absorbing my medications and became ill requiring re-admission to VGH for IV support.  After 24 hours feeling much better and seem to be back on track. Had a nice break at  my parent's place including daily walk at the beach with my Dad or Mom and hope to get back there soon.

Wishes and prayers continue to boost me. My new roommate is a Missionary so he has lots of upbeat comments for me, and I have the complete collection of Black Adder to balance out the irreverent side.

Steve

"Homeward Bound"

After 39 days in hospital, it looks like I may be discharged tomorrow! Not that I will miss my 10' by15' cubicle, nor the excellent nursing and medical care. But it will be a conditional discharge. I will need to come back to Outpatients on a daily basis for blood tests, check ups, and blood products as needed. As such I will stay with my parents in Vancouver for the first week or two before moving back to Surrey.

Fortunately, my new bone marrow has taken hold and is producing new white and red cells, and new platelets, all on its own.

As always, I am extremely grateful for all the well wishes and love that have been sent to me from all of you because this creates an energetic community of caring that has been helpful on my road to recovery and can be equally helpful to others in the community.

Birthday Neutrophils

It's been a happy birthday with visits from Jason (from McGill), Zoe (from Kelowna), and Caroline. They made a cake and came by to say happy birthday. Andy also dropped by with a DVD player for my computer.

Caroline, Zoe, and Jason with a birthday cake

The best birthday present has been a continued rise in neutrophils since the 5th. Tests show that the infections are under control, and the mucositis (which made eating difficult) is starting to subside. So I'm able to eat more now, although it's still mostly soups and other liquid foods. I can expect a platter of mashed potatoes and minced turkey for Thanksgiving tomorrow.

BMT Fellow Dr. Adam Bryant

Neutrophils Arrive!

Over an entire month without wbc's, it is not surprising to develop a variety of infections which my body can finally help fight off with some help.

I was a bit delirious with Fevers, pain meds, and lack of internet.

Our children arrive Friday, low key birthday on saturday,  and maybe some mashed taters on Sunday. LOts to be grateful for.

steve

Surprise Visit by R2S Group

Today I received a surprise visit by 25 riders from Team Coastal and Ride to Survive as well as a member of the Delta Retreads Master Swim Club. It looks like it was organized by Vicki Kunzli and Kevin Murphy and involved riders, many who are cancer survivors themselves, starting out in Delta, Richmond, and Vancouver and converging on VGH on this rainy Sunday morning.They positioned themselves outside my room and waved a sign at me, but unbeknownst to them I had been moved to another room invisible to the ground, and instead "Mr Smith" was treated to a dazzling display of spandex.

So Plan B involved leaving the expensive bikes in the care of who knows and riding the elevator to the 15th floor, one away from the penthouse. They waited in the elevator foyer while Kevin roused me from my drug assisted stupour and I met with them properly, fully masked, and attached to my IV pole (Fred) and not sure if I was still dreaming.

Friday was a busy day, too, as I was teleconferenced in to our 25th UBC Medical School Reunion and had a chance to talk to about 50 of my classmates and their spouses and be entertained with slides of fully haired young medical students engaged in silly antics. Marshal Dahl and others did a superb job of organizing. And I learned that just 6 months ago one of our classmates was in the same room as I am now, recovering from an autologous stem cell transplant, and has done well!

Otherwise I am doing fine, counting off the days like a prisoner in a cage, waiting for my white blood cells to recover. I am told that my Libra sign is in Uranus which nicely describes the irritated state of my bowels, which are recovering.

Greetings of course to all my supporters. You keep me going on those dark days. And hats off to good drugs which are welcome too.