Out and Back

The appendix came out, I left the hospital for a couple of days, and on Sunday found myself right back on the 10th floor. I just can't seem to get enough of this place.  We're not really sure what the cause is, but I was feeling pretty sick on Sunday afternoon. And so I find myself on my third day in the hospital surviving on a steady diet of Jello and Gatorade.  They call it a clear liquid diet, and it's designed to give my innards a break while all the antibiotics work their magic.  As you can imagine, it's pretty tough to only eat jello, and I'm pretty hungry most of the time. But if it gets me out of here anytime soon I'm game to give it a try. I'm hoping the end of this whole ordeal is in sight.

Appendix Gone

Tuesday night's surgery was quick, and as far as I could tell, uneventful.  The appendix was removed using a lathroscopic procedure. By the next morning the fever and chills which had mysteriously plagued me for the better part of a week had subsided. I'm still recovering from the discomfort  of the surgery, but expect to be back to normal any day now. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and wishes of good health. Right now I'm just happy to be rid of that fever and chills. I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Speaking of which, the've started putting tiles back up on the mosaic of hope, and have asked me help decorate one.  That sould like it could be fun! If I do - I'll post a couple of photos.

Under the Knife

After a speedy release last night, I'm back in the hospital this afternoon. My appendix is coming out in an hour an a half or so. It seems that the chills and the pain in my lower right side are something that that the docs are unwilling to take chances on. All of my symptoms became worse last night and this morning.

As a side note, they also offered to remove my index and table of contents - but I thought that might be too radical. :)

For Pete's Sake

After almost a week at Massey, I'm back out, thank God. While I was in, I was pumped full of antibiotics and antifungals, and was poked, prodded, scanned, and tested.  The result? We know more than we did when I went in. We found out that my appendix is inflammed, likely a result of the chemo. It's going to have to come out sooner or later. The docs are leaning toward 'later' to give me a little more time to recover. I'd just as soon get it out now, as it means I'm going to need to spend at least two more days in the hospital and I've just about had it with that place.

Readmitted!

All I can say is 'drat'. After a relatively uneventful, month or so out of the hospital, I'm back in. 

Here's the story. I was up for a routine check-up at the clinic this morning, and the nurses say to me - "Patrick, we've missed you so on the 10th floor - things have been so dull since you left. Remember those 2 kegger parties we used to have when you first got here? Why don't you come back to visit - just for a day or so? We'll party like there's no tomorrow." Of course, I was happy to oblige. And so here I sit, new room, in a new wing, enjoying all of the creature comforts I've come to expect at Massey (including some excellent sashimi and some Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA).

The true story is much less interesting, I've been running a temperature for a few days, had a couple episodes of syncope (fainting), and chills. In the world of stem cell transplantation, I guess this is something that raises a few flags.  So I get some antibiotics, and a trip to the tenth floor. 

They've taken some blood cultures to see whether there's some kind of bacterial infection. The doc says just a couple of days here, and off I go. 

In other news, all of this time in Richmond seeing the sights has sparked a little interest in the news of the past. I've been looking at some transcriptions of Richmond newspapers from the 1900s and civil war eras. I'm not looking for anything specific, but it's interesting to read about the events of days past in the words of the people who experienced them, and in an accessible style. It's my anti-Wikipedia way of exploring history. 

Release? I Think Not.

According to my original schedule, Wednesday of this week was to be my last day in Richmond in the care of the hospital. Since late last week, the transplant support team has been making noises about not releasing me. Today, I found out why and what my new schedule will be.

In our conversation with the doc, we found out is that each insurance company has different criteria for permitting release following a stem cell transplant. The initial date he gave us was based on his general experience with other companies. My insurance company requires I stay local and in the care of the hospital for 60 days following transplant. So no Easter dinner with the family, and another 20 days here. Not great news, but ya gotta be flexible.

The good news is that on the 20th I'll be able to begin working again from the apartment, and that I won't have to live in the basement for the better part of a month. Contact with cats, dogs, and kids, and the germs that they carry, can be a very real danger. Even touching flowers, dirt, or plants is prohibited. The doc made it clear that these things could send me right back into the hospital. So our original plan was that I stay in my basement since it's possible to keep it relatively germ free. It's tough being immunocompromised. I think that despite missing Jane and the girls, this is for the best.

Apart from not returning home, this has been a good week. Jane came out to visit me on Wednesday, and she returned today with the girls to be with me for the doctor's visit.  On Wednesday we walked up Monument Avenue and over to Carytown. Today with the girls we were able to take a walk up to Libby Hill and Church Hill.  When I was a kid, these places weren't exactly safe to wander around in. Since then, they've experienced a lot of gentrification, and are beautiful to visit. 

Robert E. Lee - Monument Ave.

Jefferson Davis - Monument Ave.

Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Memorial - Libby Hill 

On our way back to the apartment, we happened to walk by St. John's Episcopal Church. This is the church where Patrick Henry gave his 'Give me liberty or give me death' speech. The church had already closed for tours, but the tour guide saw us reading the historical marker for the site and let us through the gate to walk around the courtyard, and later the church. St. John's is beautiful. The guide, who was dressed in period garb, took us on a quick tour as he locked up for the evening. There was a plaque in the spot where Henry gave his speech. We also saw the grave marker for the mother of Edgar Allen Poe. It was wonderful getting to spend time with Jane and the girls. It's especially nice when an event like the tour happens spontaneously - it's like getting a little present. It was a good Good Friday.

St. John's Episcopal Church - Richmond

Jane and the girls at the Statue of Liberty Likeness - Chimborozo Park

Slaughterama 6 and Jefferson Davis

This weekend was, without question, the best weekend I've had in Richmond so far. I had a scheduled trip to the hospital on Saturday which took up the morning and a little of the afternoon. After that, the fun began.

My brother, Jeff, arrived on Saturday afternoon. We walked out for a cup of coffee at the Shockoe Espresso & Roastery (I only mention because I've had no coffee for months, as it's considered off-limits). After that, our walking tour of Richmond began. We went to Belle Island and saw the old power plant and quarry. 

On Belle Island, there was a huge event taking place in one of the old factories, or rather the empty shell where an old factory used to be. I have never seen so many people at an 'independent' event. There must have been at least 1500 people there. There were no signs or tables indicating what this gathering was for. The event seemed to involve college kids drinking beer and doing stunts on heavily modified bicycles. A little bit of online searching revealed that this event was Slaughterama 6, a cycling and 'cultural event'. Unfortunately, because of my immune situation, crowds are strictly verboten, and I wasn't able to get in close to the action. Also, wearing a pink hospital mask makes me self-conscious, and hanging out while wearing it makes me feel weird. However, from what I could see, the event looked like a lot of good college entertainment, with bikes, beer, sun, and fun.  Wish I could have played :).

After the island, we walked over to Jeff's old apartment, to see how much everything had changed. We just walked and walked, and reminisced about old times until it started to get late, and we then came back to the apartment. It was a relaxing walk, and we put a lot of miles in. I mapped it on Google Earth last night, and it was well over 10 miles. It's funny that in the city, you can just walk and walk, and become so distracted by the architecture and sights, that you feel as though you haven't travelled any distance at all. I think we could have gone much further without breaking a sweat. 

This morning, Jane, my mom, and Margaret and Madeline came to visit. Jeff had stayed over the night. After breakfast, we purchased some coffee - again, I tempt fate - and then took a walk to the Hollywood, Riverview, and Mount Cavalry cemeteries. These are located next to one another. We were on a mission to find the stones of my mother's father, her grandfather, and her grandmother.  On our way, we passed the the grave of Jefferson Davis and many grave markers both beautiful and strange. We walked for awhile and were ultimately unable to find my family's resting places, but since I was with my wife, children, and brother, life was good.

As much fun as I had, I want to get home, and am going to try to get some info on what is going on with my return. My numbers are improving, but are still low, but I'm hoping that the doctors will let me get back to my family, and that they'll give me the thumbs up for a return to work. I'm not excited at the prospect of spending a month or two in my basement, but I need to engage my brain again.

Thanks again for reading, for your help, and your prayers. Your support has made made this whole ordeal so much more manageable. Also, congrats to all of my friends who ran in the Charlottesville 10-Miler yesterday! I wish I could have been out there with you, and God willing, I'll be out there with you at the next race. I'll try to convince the docs that I'm ready to hit the pavement again.

A Change in the Weather

The weather has been nice for the past few days, and when not at the hospital, dad and I have been able to go for a number of walks. The cherry trees by the canal were in bloom, the daffodils are up, Belle Isle is greening, and it looks like Spring has finally come to Richmond. 

Yesterday was an early day for me at the hospital, as I had an ECG at 7 am. I was pretty worn out all day, but slept great last night. That extra sleep put me in a great mood today and I've had one of my best days since I left the hospital.

I've had visits from a couple of old friends from high school out yesterday and today - thanks TR and Kevin - it was awesome catching up. It's amazing how easily we fell into conversation. It was just like I'd been hanging out with them since last week. I'm always astounded about how easy it is to talk with my old friends after so many months or years of being out of touch. 

Jane and the girls are supposed to come out to visit on Sunday. I'm excited to finally get to see them again. On top of that, this weekend is looking to be very pretty, and I'm only scheduled for one hospital visit, which means I should be able to spend some time outside. Woohoo!