Thursday, March 30, 2006

A few pics

                                 

When I first got these pictures back, I couldn't bear to look at them.  All I wanted to do was cry.  Especially the ones where he was getting chemo, like in the one above.  He looks so weak to me.  But John asked me to include them in my journal as a record of his experience of getting the bone marrow transplant.  So I am going to include a few. 

Chemo was really rough on John.  When you receive chemo for a bone marrow transplant, it is no light dose.  It is an extra high concentration.  John received it for five days, then got two days off before he had his transplant.  With each day of chemo he got sicker and sicker.  But you know, he was a real trooper.  He would take his pole that he was attached to and walk the halls every day!  He did not stay in his pagamas, he would get dressed every day!  As many days as he could he would get out of the bed and sit in his chair instead of laying down.  On the second day, before he became too ill, he was out walking the hall, and the nurses asked him to help decorate for Valentine's Day,lol!  So he helped out.  He was helping them put hearts everywhere!  When I found this out, I was just thrilled.  While others on the ward were in bed, my John was up decorating.  He is such a trooper!  His doctor kept referring to him as the "Star Patient". 

Well, after day five he was finally pretty wiped out from the chemo.  He also lost 20 lbs since he started chemo.  Right before chemo, he had lost 11 lbs.  That was a net loss of 31 lbs.  And it showed.  Here is a pic of John after finishing chemo, resting up to receive his transplant. :

      

Now, I don't have any pictures of the actual transplant.  It seemed somehow, well, too sacred to take pictures of.  Ididn't want to be in the way snapping photos either.  And yes, they DID let me be there!  It was done right in his hospital room.  There were just four of us.  John, me, Dr. Claxton, and Margaret the nurse.  It was sterile.  We all wore masks.  But I was allowed to hold John's hand.  And the transplant was painful for him.  I mean physically.  He shook violently.  This is something called FLUSHING.  He had to be given Demarol to make the flushing stop.  I didn't get too scared, I guess I figured the oncologist knew what he was doing.  But it was very painful to watch. 

I snapped this pic on transplant day. :

                      

Well, I guess that is enough pics.  I wanted to end on a positive note.  I asked John what I should say was positive at this time.  This is what he came up with.:

He is glad he had a transplant as it saved his life.  He will be forever grateful.

He got his second Mixed Chimerism test back.  A Mixed Chimerism test shows how much of your stem cells are your donors.  He got a score of 95% donor cells!  This is almost unheard of after two months.  He is doing fantastically, praise the Lord!

He is thankful that he only has to go to "Day Hospital" once a week now.  If he hadn't gotten down to once a week, we would still be living in Hershey near the Transplant Center.  We do have to make a five hour round trip to the Treatment Center once a week, but at least we are at home!!!  

And finally, he pondered and said, "Aside from being a little tired, I'm feeling good."

So be it John, so be it.

33 comments:

  1. you are both so brave and I really admire you. I am so happy things went well.......Jules xx
    http://journals.aol.co.uk/jules19642001/Itsmylife/

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  2. May God continue to bless the Star patient.

    Ellen

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  3. Krissy,
    I am so very happy that you guys are home now.  There is nothing like your own bed and home.  Especially when you are going through what John went through.

    My family and friends here in Staten Island have been asking about John and, of course, praying for him too!!  

    JLand is quite amazing, isn't it.  If years ago  I was tld that I would become friends with someone who I have never met or spoken to I would have laughed in their face.  But, it's true!!  i have become friends with such wonderul, caring and amazing people.  And, I love it so much.  Because, as someone who has a chronic illness like we do, I am so thankful for friends like you who support and care about me.  As I do you and others.

    Thank you for being my friend.
    Love, LuAnne
    http://journals.aol.com/thebaabee/LUANNESLIFELIVINGWITHLUPUS

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  4. Sending lots of hugs and wishes for happy days ahead.
    Sylvia xxx

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  5. Thanks for sharing the photos Krissy, it`s nice to see John smiling despite everything he was going through. :o)

    Sandra xxxx

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  6. may God watch over you both:)

    Deb

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  7. I am so happy to hear you are home.  God bless you and John.

    {{{{{{{{{{Krissy and John}}}}}}}}}}

    Deb

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  8. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful !!!!!  I'm so happy for both of you.  Linda in western Washington    

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  9. beautiful entry krissy..
    Nancy
    http://journals.aol.com/nhd106/Nancyluvspix/entries/1177

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  10. He is such an inspiration!  I am in awe over his "never give in" attitude.  Unbelievable strength and courage!  I am so glad he is doing so well!  Also glad you are at home!  Jae

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  11. so glad you posted these pictures and what John went through! Truly a trooper he is. To God we give the glory for John's healing and strength

    betty

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  12. John must be an incredibly tough guy to go through all this and come out smiling. Thanks for showing the photos. I'm so pleased all is going well for you both now. Jeannette xx

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  13. Sissy and John, I am glad you guys added these pics as it helps me to "feel" like I spent a little time there with you.  I am in total awe of you, John.  Look at your smile!  I am in total awe of God, too, who has something so special left for John to do!  Praise God that our John-John is doing so well!  Oh you guys, I am sooooo glad you are home, too!  I miss taking care of Michael, though.  John2 and I must come see him soon =)!!  Love you!! YTP xoxoxox
    http://journals.aol.com/valphish/ValsThoughts

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  14. Wishing you and John the best.   I will include him in my prayers that he continues to get much better.    It took great strenght and courage for him to have to fight for his life.     mark

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  15. Thanks for sharing the photos...I know you both are so happy to be home now and not back in the hospital room...home is always good to make you feel better.
    Have a great Friday...hugs and love,
    Joyce

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  16. I was so glad to see this entry!  I'm glad that John is starting to feel like his old self again!  I'm still praying for him every day!
    Hugs,
    Heather

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  17. So very brave. He's an inspiration.

    Angela

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  18. Amen!!! God is indeed good!
    Becky

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  19. Yeah John! He sure came thru all of this like a trouper... You must be extremely proud.. AND relieved that it is over except for the healing and regaining of strength. I'm so happy for the both of you!
    http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind
    http://adventuresofaneclecticmind.blogspot.com/

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  20. One word--YAY!

    Annie =)

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  21. Isecond Annie's word! ;)  C.  http://journals.aol.com/gdireneoe/thedailies

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  22. i am so happy that john is healthy and at home again my prayers are with you!

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  23. Kristina and John, you both will remain in my prayers.  It is one huge dose of tough questions and great hope in Christ, that we come out for the better.  I will look forward to coming back and seeing the wonderful progress laid ahead for both of you.  Blessings Raven

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  24. K~Great entry; the pics came out well! See...even his Dr. called him a star patient; now I feel quite validated in my cheerleading! Yay for John! Praying that all will be full speed ahead health wise from now on! What an experience for the both of you...Even after loosing all that weight he sure looks strong (physically & spiritually) to me! So happy for the 2 of U! ;-))))))))) xox Sassy Deb

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  25. Although he may look weak, he still has such a glimmer of light and love in his eyes!  
    -Kellen

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  26. Thank God........ thanks for the post.... Lisa

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  27. AMEN!  I am so happy that you are home, that John's donor cells are at 95% - there is so much to be happy and thankful for right now!  My prayers will not stop for you...

    be well,
    Dawn

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  28. So be it, indeed! wAY TO GO J & K! God is the pillar of your marraige and it is a wonderful thing!

    Charley
    http://journals.aol.com/cdittric77/courage

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  29. John certainly looks like a trooper in those photos...you my dear, were quite the trooper yourself.  
    John has a wonderful outlook and such a grateful attitude :)  very heartwarming!

    ~Bernadette

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  30. What a tough wonderful man you have.  I cant believe what he went through.
    But he is home now and will continue to get better .   I will keep you both in my prayers and I am so glad you are home.

                                                              hugs and love
                                                               
                                                                                  Myke

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  31. I am in total awe of his perseverance! He will inspire others who will always remember how he handled himself through this. God Speed on Good Health!

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  32. Hi John
    I am so glad you are home and you and Krissy allowed me to be a part of the miracle that is you...
    Big Hugs!
    Linda :)

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  33. Hi Krissy...bless you both during this journey.  Thanks for sharing the photos and story.  

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