Stem Cell Donation – Day 4

8-25-11

Because of the cardiology diversion yesterday, the medical appointments originally scheduled for today were moved to tomorrow.  I used this unanticipated free day to run four miles before it got too hot, do some work and spend some time sightseeing.  We also moved.

Let me briefly mention the weather.  One of the things I brought in my suitcase was a Native American flute.  I sometimes play it at home to try to coax a little rain when it gets too dry.  Last night I played to try to coax some rain here.  The flute has always lived in a semi-arid climate and had never been able to work with moisture in the air like there is in Houston.  When I went jogging the sky was cloudy.  A short time later, it began to rain and it rained hard for about an hour.  That cooled the air enough that today was the first time in 25 days that the temperature here did not go above 100.  Coincidence?

I also brought my computer so I could work remotely to keep from getting too far behind at the office.  I am fortunate that the company I work for has been very supportive and has made it easy for me to be away for the time necessary for this stem cell donation.

One thing I have not mentioned is that after my stem cells are collected, my brother is going to be staying here in Houston for quite a long time.  Beginning immediately after the collection, he will receive out-patient chemotherapy for about a week to basically destroy his bone marrow before the stem cells are transplanted.  He will then be admitted to the hospital, the transplant will be done and he will need to remain an in-patient in a “clean” room for up to 30 more days until his immune system is strong enough that he can go out into the world.  When he is finally released, he will need to stay no more than a few minutes away from the hospital for another two months.  Essentially, that means that he and his wife will be living here for several months.

It is certainly expensive to maintain a house in Austin as well as someplace in Houston.  They have received a great help from an organization known as the Aishel House, a Jewish group that provides many wonderful support services for patients of the many hospitals in this area.  The Aishel House has a number of apartments that may be rented by patients like Paul and their families at reduced rates.  He and Deb were able to rent a fully furnished efficiency apartment, less than half a mile from the MD Anderson Center, for $600 a month.  We got them moved in this morning.

Tomorrow I begin the Neupogen injections leading up to the stem cell collection next week.  The next few days should be interesting.