Another World

We both agree that our hospital stay of 16 days feels rather like a dream, or perhaps a visit to another galaxy; a strange interlude that is was very different from the life we had before, or are having now.

As our time at the hospital ended, every doctor and nurse told us that Don did tremendously well with his transplant. One nurse said Don was "the best stem cell transplant they had ever cared for." Meaning he stayed "up," and had fewer side effects than others. And I think, even though it is hard to see right now, he will get back to normal faster too.

This is the end of our third full day at home. Simon tells us constantly how glad he is to have Don home. They spend much of each day sitting together on the couch. Life is quiet here. Don has little strength. We eat meals, play “Quirkle” (a little like dominos) and “Spite and Malice” (a spiteful and malicious card game). Don reads, puts pieces in a jigsaw puzzle, watches the tube, and naps. Sami putters around the house. We are taking one or two short walks each day around the yard or around the block.

The biggest torment Don has now is a very itchy skin rash. It began at the hospital, but became much worse at home. We saw the doctor on Friday. She thinks it may be a reaction to a medication he is taking, which was doubled when he came home. She substituted a different medication, and we are waiting to see if it helps.

Don did loose quite a bit of his hair. His beard became so scruffy that he shaved it off. Here is his new look...