They have this creepy Battlestar Gallactica way of counting down the days to and from your Bone Marrow Transplant: Day -7, Day -6, Day -5, etc. until you get to transplant day, which is ominously "Day 0." Then, you count upwards Day +1, Day +2, Day +3 and so on and so on.
Well, today is Day -6 and I got chemo all day long. Last night, I had a visit from an old friend, Fludarbine, a chemotherapy drug I've taken before and, yes, it made me nauseas, but nothing that a little Atavan couldn't handle. Late morning, I started the Antithymocyte Blobulin, which is special drug made from rabbits (cage-free and organic, I'm told, snark snark). The medicine itself isn't half bad and, fortunately, I didn't experience any of the crazy side effects they warned me about. But the pre-drugs knock you on your butt! I was out cold for like, three hours, having crazy dreams about turkeys, old college professors and paraffin wax ... You know, really weird-i-am-the-director-of-a-late-night-film-for-ifc-channel weird. You know, Escher, Dali, Fellini weird, though not as arty. Anyway, it also wasn't a sound sleep, because the poor nurse had to rouse me from my pool of drool roughly every 15-minutes to take all my vital signs and make sure I wasn't having one of those horrid reactions. Each time I woke, the look on my face must've scared her because her brow would furrow with worry as she listed off a laundry list of potential ills I could be experiencing. "No," I say, "Don't worry it's I am dreaming about turkeys that seem to know Chaucer better than me."
Later on, as I pulled myself back to reality, I took a walk ... 20 rounds around the leukemia floor. I got really sad missing my dad ... Just being here brings up so many memories. I think I even remember what room he was in and, thankfully, they say I'm being moved to another room on the other side of the floor ... that side has a view!
My roommate also got to go home today and, at least for the moment, I have the whole place to myself.
Best of all, Zach came to visit today. He didn't get to see the drug dispensing robot (bummer) but he did get to play trains with me on my bed. I had even bought him two new characters, Diesel 10 and Lady, so that he could act out the story of the Magic Railroad. Then we watched one Thomas Train video before he had to go. We had so much fun and I was sorry to see him leave.
Thanks so much for all the phone messages, blog posts and emails. All your words and encouragement mean so much ...
Love to you all ...
Katie
Comments (10)
Katie, reading your blog takes me back to counting down my days. I know it is a scary countdown. If I am calculating correctly your transplant day will be Monday June 16, mine was June 15th. I just wanted you to know that I am thinking about you and sending good thoughts your way. Please don't hesitate to call or email me with any questions or just to talk.
Posted by Brandy Perkins | June 11, 2008 10:31 PM
Posted on June 11, 2008 22:31
Just wanted to drop in, say hi, and add my voice to those on the left coast! Good to speak with you the other day, and to read the blog and hear a bit about what you're going through. Many, many, many people are out here sending thoughts and pulling for you. Love to you and that crazy kid of yours... and to Zach too of course. ;-)
P.S. - You should keep a dream diary too - the poultry related dreams are hilarious!
Posted by Aaron Saffa | June 12, 2008 6:01 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 06:01
I want to know what role the paraffin wax played in your dreams. Did it talk? Dance a jig? Play the lute?
You are constantly in my thoughts. You've been such an inspiration to me. I think of our walks to Rubi's on those bright summer mornings, and how you always made me laugh.
I'll keep checking in on your blog. If there is anything in the world I can do for you, please let me know.
Shirley
Posted by Shirley Tatum | June 12, 2008 8:08 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 08:08
Miss Katie
I don't really know what to say as I cannot even begin to imagine what you are going through. We are thinking of you always and sending you all our good thoughts and love. When you can have visitors, please let me know somehow as I really want to come and hang with you. I am ready to get that ass whopping in Scrabble. Stay strong! Much love to you Ian and little Zach Man.
Jennifer
Posted by Jennifer Fojtik | June 12, 2008 8:13 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 08:13
Katie--The next time you can, give Ian a big hug for letting me know about your present adventure. You have been on my mind so VERY much. Months ago I called and left a message on your answering machine. On April 25, your Grandmother Sylvia's birthday, I wrote you a mental novel. If I could ever get those productions on to paper, who knows? I might have a best seller. You could make a film of it. :-)
Bob and I are tied to Phoenix this summer for medical purposes. After Bob broke his leg and the docs got a chance at him, he was handed a laundry list of issues, some more amusing than others. Next week he will have an internal goiter removed. His mom chugs on through one medical challenge after the next. At almost 93, she is living proof that living with positive attitude makes all the difference. It was almost 20 years ago that the docs began suggesting her immanent demise. Ask her how she is and she says--and these are her exact words, "I am a happy camper."
Bless the whimsy in your blog and the happy camper in your heart! Eva
Posted by Eva Knight | June 12, 2008 8:36 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 08:36
I wish we had gotten together before the countdown began. Well, we all tried. I love your blog! Thanks for keeping it up. We will give Ian and Zach a call soon. Did I tell you I'll be working at Lockheed Martin this summer? I start on Monday. I'll keep wriitng. All my love to you!
Posted by Adrienne Van Gorden | June 12, 2008 9:17 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 09:17
I wish we had gotten together before the countdown began. Well, we all tried. I love your blog! Thanks for keeping it up. We will give Ian and Zach a call soon. Did I tell you I'll be working at Lockheed Martin this summer? I start on Monday. I'll keep wriitng. All my love to you!
Posted by Adrienne Van Gorden | June 12, 2008 9:17 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 09:17
Hey girl,
Those pre-drug dreams are kooky, but the whole hospital life is so surreal anyways. I been thinking about you and your dad a lot , too. Being on the floor where he was must be intense. I know revisiting those places can bring up so many emotions, let alone having to be stationed there! I'm holding you in my heart right now. I'm glad Zach got to come play trains. much love,
shona
ps Vinnie sends his love, too.
Posted by Shona Mauro-Sachs | June 12, 2008 10:02 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 10:02
Katie, you are tougher than anyone I know. You inspire me. Thanks to Ian for letting me know about the blog. I'll be reading it every day for updates. Lots of love from up in P-town...Shannon
Posted by Shannon Sneed | June 12, 2008 11:49 AM
Posted on June 12, 2008 11:49
Dear Katie,
(I am posting another one as I'm not sure the first went through...)- Your blog is really wonderful to read, helping all of us connect more to what you are going through (and I'm sure it's impossible to convey in all of its surreal-ness). I am looking forward to seeing you when you are able to, and until then will be thinking of you and sending you BIG healing thoughts and love! Great that you're enjoying your time with Zach... such a sweetheart!
Hugs to you, and sending Ian and Zach support and energy too.
Love,
Dara
Posted by Dara Roberts | June 13, 2008 10:24 AM
Posted on June 13, 2008 10:24