Tuesday +20 (10:30 AM)

Jackie continues to have problems with blistering of the eyes. Last night they were quite bad. She is also having quite severe back pain. The reason for the back pain is unknown. The back pain has required her to take some heavy-duty painkillers to help deal with the issue. This morning she is a little better it seems.

We finished up the morning IV antibiotic treatment. We now head off for a visit with the infectious diseases team at 11:00. That is followed by a visit to the ophthalmology department at 12:15 which is followed by an audiology test at 1:30 PM followed by the eye-ear-nose-and-throat guys at 2:15 which is followed by the afternoon IV antibiotic treatment which is followed by the evening IV antibiotic treatment. So busy day.

I don't have blood counts for today, yet. I suspect they will be improved - or at least her RBC count. She was able to walk to her hospital appointment this morning (the long way) and back to the apartment (the short way). She has more energy. I don't know if this can be attributed to improved blood counts or the painkillers. Just as a note: I counted the number of pills Jackie took yesterday. The count was 42 individual pills. This doesn't count anything given while at the hospital. There were a few there, but I can't remember exactly what was given.

I spoke with the doctor this morning and he seems quite pleased with her progress. All these issues she is dealing with, while different for each individual, are more-or-less normal.

I met a very pleasant lady the other day while using the hospital computer. She was wearing the usual "transplant mask" that all transplant patients are required to wear. I asked her where she was in the process and she said, "Day +1". She was very cheery and full of energy. She asked where Jackie was in her status and I explained "She's +16". She grimaced and said, "I'm going to be out of here by day +16. I explained Jackie had the same hope and that while I didn't wish to discourage her she was likely to see some difficulties.

This morning she was going into our out-patient room as we were leaving. She, too, was barely able to walk in the room. She is at about day +6. While still cheery for her transplant status it was clear that things had changed. By the same token you often see people who are +70 or +80 and far into the transplant status who are walking around as if nothing ever happened. The only reason you know they are transplant patients is because they are still wearing a transplant mask and they have short hair. Jackie will someday get to the same point, it is just a long journey!