Bone Marrow Biopsy Reprieve Until Jan 23rd

Yesterday I got an email from Tanya at Duke (that is exactly how she introduces herself everytime she calls to leave me a message) asking to reschedule my appointment from Monday the 12th to another day. We settled on Friday Jan 23rd instead. Apparently they are over scheduled on this upcoming Monday. Sure, I'm happy to put off my date with the wide bore needle until later. I'm helpful and giving that way.

One of my coworkers is about to have alot of contact herself with the Bone Marrow Transplant program at Duke. Her daughter has lymphoma and has failed her initial chemo regimen. She is going to have a different treatment-very high dose-to blast the lymphoma, and the transplant will replenish her bone marrow after the new chemo. They are just beginning the process now and have many questions about the timing of everything and how things work. I remember being in that place with a million questions and all the uncertainty about how you'll handle the treatment. It is very tough facing those unknowns, even small things like whether the nurses will let you have someone stay overnight with you. I remember how the loss of control is magnified by each little question and detail that you can't pin down. I finally had to give up and told myself that it was not on my time, as my friend Susan pointed out so eloquently. The bone marrow folks will treat them well over there, and the nurses on 9200 where she will take her chemo are terrific. It will all get easier once things get going, and it becomes more clear what is ahead.

Work has been going really well this week. I feel good being there. So many people have welcomed me back with hugs and encouraging words. We really have a great group, and I look forward to spending more time there next week. I'll be ready to work my usual hours by then. I've been able to exercise in the mornings before I head to work, and I haven't been as tired as I thought I'd be. My goal was to get used to a set schedule again and manage to wake up early enough to exercise before work. Next week I hope to walk at lunchtime if the weather is amenable. Maybe one or more of the new providers will want to walk with me. They seem like cool people. I look forward to getting to know them better as we work together more closely.

Today's photo is the coastal view from the top of Trinidad head.