greetings

Hi everyone,
Thanks for being patient.  The chemo in the last couple on days before the transplant knocked  me back.

After irradiation, I developed a very sore GI track which contuined very painfully into day 1.  I must admit this has been my focus of the last 24 hr. As much, I have been on a a lot of morhpine and unable to do anything but be in a stupour.

This has caused an eating issues as well.  As David said, I have been drinking protein shakes as meal replacements and I did manage to get down some mushroom soup last night.

Lying in bed can cause other problems like lung and clot.  I am on pressure socks that continually inflate and deflate to prevent clots.  As well as oxygen now and then, especially because my blood pressure was low yesterday.  I also have deep breathing exercises as there are some signs of lung issues.

By far the biggest issue I face face right now is my kidney function.  The medications needed to keep my graft happy are very hard on my kidneys.  My kidneys may have taken some damage during chemo or the transplant.  Either way they are being very stubborn.  This is my greatest concern right now. Getting the kidneys restarted well, so we can do our work to make sure the graft is happy.

As you can probably tell, I'm in a very fine balancing act to keep everything together until the graft can come into its own which is about 10- 12 days.

When they say my job is to eat, drink and rest, it is much more involved that that.

I am trying to staying focused right now.  The most important thing for me is to giving this baby cells the best fighting chance.  In a way, I do feel like a mom, protecting my new baby from the baddies of the world.

I am physically and emotionally exhausted but I'm still strong inside and focused.  I need all the prayers I can get to keep me pushing up that hill!

On a very note, our angel came through with a gorgeous apartment yesterday.  I could see the excitement in David's face when he showed me pictures.  He should be asleep there right now I hope restoring all the energy he needs.

I have received all your personal notes and thank you.  I am not ignoring them but simply do not have the energy to reply.  Please know they mean a great deal to me.