10/3 - Getting settled and first IPOP appointment

Got up to Hackerman Patz last night  – our home for the next 6-8 weeks around 7:30pm.  Charlie and Kristi had already gotten there so were waiting – not long but a bit.  They helped us get our things up to our Suite – just hoping it’s temp until the Apt is ready.  They left close to 10.  Kristi & Charlie made us a beautiful collage of so many wonderful pictures of the family – it was awesome!! JJ.  They also bought us 2 throws that were super soft.  Dad already used his!!  They bought us a cute Halloween decoration also – lots of goodies!! 

First trip to IPOP – 8:00 appointment.  Our nurse was Diane.  Took temp, weight and asked Don several questions about how he was feeling – any mouth sores – any pain – blurred vision – numbness -  most of which he answered in the negative except for a little joint pain.  His back is hurting today – he did mention to Diane and she said that was normal due to the counts rising.

Had to wait hour to hour and half for blood work to come back.  Nurse Diane indicated depending on what the #’s were he could possibly do the stem cell collection as early as Tuesday or Wednesday.  We couldn’t get the stem cell count because that is not one of the tests they run on Sunday – kinda confuses me because they run the checks for a lot of things.  The count # they are looking for is 10,000 – of course don’t know what they are today – so tomorrow they will give us a printout of results and this should be on there. 

Nurse Diane did the flushing there so I just need to do the evening one – took 1 small stitch out of one of the catheter openings – Don was happy about that cause the little bugger kept sticking him in the neck until he put a little piece of tape there to stop it.

Did find out we can get carryout food – yippeeeee!!  When he has the transplant this is when the monitoring becomes more critical – not that it isn’t a factor now – just will have to be even more cautious as he will have no cells to fight against anything.

We were out and about and decided to make a quick trip home as we had forgotten a few things – yeah if you can believe that!!  His belt being the main thing – well we pulled up and I could see Gram looking out the door – she just kept looking and looking – I think she might have been thinking “am I seeing things??” *L* - our trip wasn’t too long – kinda long for a hour drive but we both didn’t mind at all just knowing we were going HOME even if it was for a few minutes.  Well no belt at home - checked when we got back here - no belt unless it's hiding - okay - if anyone finds a belt please let us know!!!

It’s almost 3 – been back for about 20 mins – lunch for Don and he’s flipping through the channels.  Don’t think we can get the Redskin game L - but there are some games on so it’s okay and the race too!!

Going to go to Safeway in a bit to pick up a few things.

Early appointment tomorrow at 7:30 – they don’t like anyone sleeping in – that’s for sure *L*.  No problem we can always take a nap!!

Going to post this – I’ll add some more this evening!

Don took a nap - not too long.  Watched some of the Skins game and then we went out to go to Safeway.  One of the main roads was closed due to carnival that was literally right in the middle of the road - looked very strange.  Anyway, didn't make it to Safeway - just picked up few things at 7-11.  Did go to Harbour and got Noodles & Co to go.  It was great!!  Got back to watch more of the game - *wooohooooooooooooooooooo*!!!  So glad they won!

Don's settling in for the evening so I'm going to call it a day as well.

Until tomorrrow............

Love you all!

Don & Muffin