Day 29 - TGIF!!!

Thank God it's Friday!

I love Friday's and today turned out to give me every reason to do so!  I had so many visitors and am so thankful to everyone who came by for a visit.

I ventured outside closer to Torrey Pines South and took a great picture that has 9, 13, 14, 15 and 16 in one shot...although since it was with my iPhone, it may be difficult to see them all.

There's a 3 day Breast Cancer walk going on here in San Diego and a group of teachers from Rachel's elementary school were walking for the cure.  It so happened that the 1st day of the walk passed right in front of the hospital I am staying at.  Lindsay, Rachel's kindergarten teacher, came inside to say hello and give me and the family some goodies from the walk while the other teachers were outside staying warmed up to continue their walk.  Thank you Lindsay and team EBS!!! I really appreciate that you stopped by to say hello during your walk!

My team from CareFusion came by and spent their lunch hour with me and then some!  They caught me up on all the goings on at work and filled me in on their plans for the Thanksgiving Holiday.  Thank you Nick, Jason, Kranthi, Rohit, Richard, Catherine and Shri, the visit was very much appreciated.  Thank you for the movies and books Jason!  I broke out some chocolate for a Friday toast! 

My aunt Debbie had picked up Olivia from school, so I got a surprise visit from Olivia, Debbie and Erik.  We hung out and I got lots of hugs from Olivia, who I haven't seen in a week.  When they had to go, Olivia and I didn't want to stop hugging each other and she did not want to leave.  She's been so strong and I am very proud of her!

Joe, Sharon, Wes and Kristi came by for their Friday sunset watch with me (was a cloudy day so no sunset).  We had a great time even though we did not see the sunset.  We talked about food and all the yummy stuff I will be eating when I go home...can't wait!!!  Thank you for spending some of your Friday with me, you all are awesome!

Tiffany, Tod and Camile came by for a visit as well and filled me in on their plans for Thanksgiving.  Camile gave me a gift to wear when I am home for the Holiday's...I thought of wearing it with the mullet, but I think it does well on its own ;-).  Thank you for the visit and cool gift!

My boss's boss, Nivaldo and his wife Maritza, came buy for a visit.  It was great to see Nivaldo and meet Maritza, although I am sorry that I forgot to get a picture!  We had a great visit and I Nivaldo shared some pictures from his recent trip to CareFusion's offices in India.  Nivaldo had amazing pictures of the colors and detailed architecture of India.  Thank you Nivaldo and Maritza for the nice visit!

Joe, Laura, and Tommy came by for a visit to round out the evening.  Tommy brought me a cool Steelers beanie!  Tommy razzed me all evening about Arizona's loss to USC, the Steeler loss to New England, and taunted me about the upcoming Arizona - Oregan game on Nov 26th.  Thanks Tom-Tom, but you are lucky my platelets are low or else I would have had you in a head lock ;-).  Love you guys!!!

God bless you all and thank you for your love and support!

Love,
John

Day 28 - Resting and In the Zone

Hello Family and Friends,

Thank you so much for the recent posts to Day 27, they definitely helped lift my spirits and added to my strength and drive to make it through the next few weeks.  White cells are still being shy which is why I still may be a few weeks out from going home...patience and perseverance, I am in the zone!

Didn't need any transfusions today, so I took a lot of strolls around the hospital.  My family has had the flu, so I have not seen them since Saturday.  We've been staying in touch on the phone and I got to read  a book at bedtime with Rachel using the Kindle that was a gift from my co-workers.  Rachel and I will be doing more bedtime reading!

Theresa packed some comfy clothes for me to wear...hospital gowns are getting old ;-)  My sister-in-law Mia came by this afternoon and brought me the clothes from home and some sweet notes from my family.  Thank you Mia for the delivery and the visit Mia!

Take care and thank you again for the inspiring posts, thoughts and prayers!!!

Love,
John

Day 27 - Patience + Perseverance = Magic

Hello!

I am feeling good and my back is getting better every day.  I had platelet and red cell transfusions today and my neutrophils are still at zero.  As day 27 came and went, I felt a bit numb to the fact I have been here that long. 

I have often been told that I am a patient man and that I persevere through what ever I have been faced with in life.  I feel my patience is being tried more than ever as I wait for the day that I am told I am in remission.  I know that I will persevere and get through this first obstacle on the path to being cured of MDS and leukemia.

John Quincy Adams once said, "Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish."

This magical effect that John Quincy Adams spoke of is something that comes from deep within our souls fed by the love of ourselves, our family, our friends, and life.  This magical effect is fed by the love, prayers, and hope that all of you have been sending my way.

Soon these difficulties and obstacles will be a fading shadow of my life and my patience and perseverance will get me there!!! 

Me, Kerri

The nursing staff here at Scripps Green Hospital have been exceptional!  They have made an otherwise arduous hospital stay comfortable, safe, motivating, and caring.  When I was first admitted, a nurse named Kerri took time to explain to me and Theresa just what I was in for and what to expect.  She has a calm, laid back demeanor that put both me and Theresa at ease immediately.  Out of all the nurses, I have been in Kerri's care the most and want to thank her for true passion to care for her patients in a calm, empathetic way.  Thank you Kerri!!!

Joe, Me, Pat

Two friends and colleagues, Joe and Pat, from a company CareFusion does business with came by today.  Joe and Pat, and I played Torrey Pines South one month after the 2008 US Open.  The South Course won that day, but we had a great time trying to beat it.  Thank you for the visit today gents, it was great to see you both and I look forward to being back out on Torrey Pines and taking the battle to the South course once again!


Thank you all for your continued love, prayers and support!!!

Love, John

Day 26 - Rest for my back

Hello!

Today has been a restful day.  I took two long naps while icing my back.  The meds they gave me for my back also had something to do with the napping part ;-).  The meds and rest are definitely working and my back is feeling better every day.  I have still been talking my walks outside and found a new (indoor) spot to check out Torrey Pines.  The view gives me a good look of the South course 16 tee boxes and amazing sunset views.

Room View

New view

I am now 12 days out from the start of my second round of chemo.  Whoo hoo!!! Today I did not need any blood products, so let's hope that trend continues and that eventually my Neutrophils (most important white blood cell) start to reappear...they are my ticket home ;-)

Love you all and thank you for your love and support!

John

Day 25 - Time is ticking

Hello,

Caught some pictures of the sunset and moon yesterday.  It is so nice to get outside and get fresh air!

I received platelets and red cells today.  The doctors expect to see my numbers starting to come up by this weekend and would like to make sure my neutrophils to up around 1.5.  If my neutrophils are up and I don't need red cell and platelet transfusions daily, I will be able to get home.  During the first week of December, I will come in for a bone marrow biopsy to confirm that I am in remission AML remission. All together coming home and getting the bone marrow biopsy results, the first week of December will be a big one.

My buddy Dave came to visit me today.  Knowing that I was not feeling good from the Steeler loss last night, Dave cheered my up and brought me some cool Steeler socks!  I put them on right way, very comfy!!!  Thank you for the visit Dave!  I love you man!  I will be routing for the Washington Redskins on Monday night football tonight (Dave's favorite team)!!!

Take care everyone! 

Love, John

Day 24 - Bro Day

Hello,

Feeling good, with the exception of my lower back.  My anti-nausea medicine was discontinued today since I am 48 hours post chemo.  My hair continues to fall out, so I will be going for the Mr. Clean look this week.  I have decided to stay in San Diego at Scripps Green for my Bone Marrow Transplant.  Being close to family and friends was #1 and the experience of the BMT team here at Scripps goes back over 20 years.  The BMT unit here is calm with a small patient to nurse ratio. Many of the nurses here have been working with BMT patients for 15 years or more here at Scripps.

Right now I am in a waiting game, waiting for my white cells, platelets, and red cells to get above critical levels.  When that happens, I will be able to be discharged and will have a bone marrow biopsy in early December to check for remission.

My brother Mike came by to visit and watch the Chicago vs Minnesota game.  Mike was between my niece Sophie's swim meet and my nephew Max's baseball game.  Mike gave me the low down on his Patrick Henry High School Football team's season.  Thanks for coming by bro!



My brother-in-law Joe came by to watch the Pittsburgh vs New England game (Sunday Night Football).  Although I was not happy with the outcome of the game (Steelers lost), it was fun to hang out with Joe.  Joe was wearing his Buffalo Bill jersey which I have not seen him wear in a long time...he was wearing it because the Bills won.  He made me laugh, which is just what I needed.  He also got to use my cocktail bar ;-). Sorry I forgot to get a picture Joey!

Love you all!
John

Day 23 - Dog Days

Hello,

As I mentioned in the Day 22 post, my back went out on me.  Here I am, finally D-D-D free and my back goes out...really?! 

I started the day with a very nice walk outside and felt the sun hit my face in the fresh air for the first time in 22 days!!!  Felt so good! All my walks now include a walk outside around the fountain.  Most of Saturday was spent icing my back and resting to get it back in shape.  I did get in quite a bit of college football and some rest.  The day ended with an Arizona loss to USC :-(...really?!

Is that really you Dad?

Best part of my day!

The highlight of my day was a visit from Theresa, Rachel and Gabe came for a visit.  Since I am no longer on chemo, I can wander outside, so Theresa brought Gabe with her and Rachel.  Gabe was growling at me at first since I had my hat on and a mask, but the second he heard my voice, is tail wagged like crazy and he was ready for some time with his Dad :-).  Olivia was sick so she stayed at home to rest, but I will see her on Sunday.  We took Gabe for a walk and gave some treats.  It was fun!

Joe, Sharon and Barry were at the Green Flash beer festival where they were having a Be The Match bone marrow registry drive!  Drinking beer and supporting Be The Match...what a great match that is.  They had a few for me, per my request.



Thank you all so much for your support of the Be The Match program.  The Sabre Springs Red Cross office now knows me by name since so many folks have gone in to get registered.  God bless you all for your continued love, support, wishes and prayers!!!

Love,

John