Dog Days of Summer

Well, reality set in this past Sunday when Alex and I checked into Medical City Dallas for the final stages of the transplant process.  After the admin process followed by initial blood draw to confirm my body didn’t require any additional supplements before treatment, it was confirmed nothing would happen until 10 pm.  Great it was 5 in the afternoon.  Another unfortunate reality was 45 min into our check in on the tansplant floor one of the patients passed.  Not a good reality for Alex to witness, but I ensured her I’m not 75 and I’m in fairly good shape. 

Alex and I quickly decided to break out and roll to my uncles house for a couple hours of down time.  We told the nurses we would be downstairs and we would see them around 9pm.  Sometimes little white lies are necessary in lifeJ  We moved north the 13 miles and enjoyed a few hours with the fam. 

On the way back to the hospital we received a message from the nurse inquiring, “um, where are you, are you planning on coming back”?  Comical because between the time we left the staff had done a turnover and obviously not communicated my intent.  Oh well, we would see them soon.

Chemo is chemo.  Makes you feel like shit, constipates you, screws up sensitive cells as in mouth, stomach lining, as well as your digestive track, but its modern science at its best right.  It’s now day four of my treatment with two more days remaining before they attempt the stem cell transplant.

I’ve stayed as active as possible while utilizing my imagination and configuring my room into  a quazi crossfitt arena.  Pullups on the door, pushups anywhere, tricep pushs between two chairs, and resistance with the help of my little lady.  My intent here isn’t to gain any muscle, but simply to maintain as much of what I have to make the comeback trail that much easier.

Day four here we are.   Constant nausea combatted with an array of anti throw up meds has kept me on an even keel.  My digestive track is completely fucked, but that’s standard.  If you remember an ESPN segment a few years back covering a kid with cancer his response was perfect, “yeah chemo messes with your poop.”  So trueJ

The ugly nature of this disease has a young three old boy on the floor with a recurrence of leuykemia.  He is a complete gem and darling.  Many of us have been touched by tough patches in life, but kids truly can be the best examples of how to deal with these dispositions.  This sucks, its my reality, I’m living, I’m moving!

Family and friends have been rolling by constantly with the one constant grace being Alex and her selflessness.  Everyday she spends by my side has me falling farther in love with her for how much of herself she gives to me.  As we all know I can be a very hard man, but in her eyes I’m easy to love.  A fantastic reality.

One of my sisters arrived today with the other on her way tomorrow.  It should be a good weekend for them as well for me with the plethora of family to be around. 

 Because I can so I do..

Cheers from lock down!