2nd Follow Up Visit at Stanford

Joyce and I arrived back home about an hour ago after our second follow up visit to the Stanford Cancer Center. This was Day 21 post-transplant. I had blood drawn and one of the bone marrow transplant unit doctors met with us. The first thing the doctor said to me was “wow Dave, you look great!” Of course the last time she had seen me was right after the transplant. The doctor was greatly encouraged that my recovery seems to be ahead of schedule. My blood numbers were very good, the rash is healing up and my energy is increasing. The edema seems to be improving very slowly. The doctor referred me to a lymphedema specialist and I will be making that appointment soon. All in all it is looking very good that I can return to a normal diet, minimal wearing of the mask (only in medical facilities) and begin exercising again on Day 30 – December 15th. We hope to get confirmation of that when I see my main doctor next Thursday. I still have at least 6 months of recovery, but I am thankful for where we are right now. God is merciful.

On another note, our rodent invader has not been seen in 3 days. I hope he indulged in the “buffet of death” that the exterminator put out for him and went on to his eternal reward. I have also completed Medi-Cal and SSDI-Medicare applications and am now waiting to hear how that will come out. Please pray with me that God will work through this to give us some leading on what will be the next step for us. Finally, thanks to Jim and Kay Sawyer who let us stay with them last night so that did not have to drive all the way home through stand-still traffic after our clinic appointment. We had a very pleasant evening with them.