Day -3

Friday, July 28, 2017. My alarm sounded at 4am.  It was time to head down to Northwestern  Medicine for a stem cell transplant.  My (our) exit was brutal.  Blake slept through my sobbing goodbye and Kendall woke up. "I want you to stay home, mommy!  I'm going to miss you so much, mommy."  Seriously. Just rip my heart out, stomp on it, and throw it to the birds. I silently begged God for strength and courage while she wrapped her arms and legs around me... locked up the tears and reassured her I'd be back in no time.  Uffda. That was hard to write out and re-live again. 

Traffic worked in our favor and we found ourselves an hour early.  Mom and Dad grabbed a coffee on the concourse and asked if we were ready to head up  "Hell no. I'm good. I'll sit right here on this main level as close to the outside air as I can."  

Time to "install" my triple luman vascular catheter.  Yes, I was quizzed on that.  Twilight sedation in which I was told most people just slept through.  Not me! Haha! I was awake, asking questions and just felt very intoxicated.  Dr kept asking me if I was going to just hang out with her the whole time?  You bet!  Someone has to make sure she's doing it right 😜😜. An hour in recovery and supposedly I kept asking Jason what time it was... clearly, I had somewhere to be.  Anywhere but here. 

As of this afternoon, I completed my 4 days of chemotherapy.  Two types.  One for one hour.  The other for 3 hours.  All my counts are dropping (which is the goal).  I am beyond tired and for the first time in my almost 22 months since diagnosis, I have no appetite.  Everything looks, smells and tastes like metal.  Lame.  Tomorrow (Wednesday) and Thursday are called "rest days" while the chemo continues to wipe the slate clean.  We want as little of my cells and shit shows present before infusing me with Greg's cells.  Friday is the big day.

I'm not sure who the anonymous donor is... But, thank you for the penthouse suite!  I'm not kidding.  Top floor, corner room with a multi-million dollar view.  Beautiful, blue Lake Michigan, Navy Pier, Michigan Ave, and Water Tower Place.  This morning I was entertained by some window washers making their way down the Hancock building.  I was trying to decide who had it worse at that moment... dangling 60 stories high cleaning windows, or being hooked up to chemo... the jury is still out on that one.

Literally everyone who comes into my room comments on my view.  It surely doesn't make me want to stay, but, I am finding the silver lining as I lay in my bed and watch the sunrise every morning.  So peaceful.

Ivy... get it?! 😜

It's just Ivy and me tonight.  Have I introduced you?  She's rather annoying in that she follows me to the bathroom, walking my laps, even into the shower.  Seriously, get a life.  I have toddlers at home who do the same but at least they're cute!!!

Their visit made my day 💓

My "dining on call" just arrived.  Let's see if I can choke down this chicken noodle soup.  Step outside for me and breathe in a big, deep breath of fresh air.  Send those prayers up!

Be well,

Love,

Rhonda Kay
XOXO