It's a Date!

I finally have an official date for my transplant!

I am going in to the hospital on April 25th

The actual bone marrow transplant will take place on May 3rd.

I will be in the hospital for the entire month of May.

This will give the docs plenty of time to both wipe out my own bone marrow
and also wipe out my entire immune system. Once I get my new fresh bone
marrow from my generous sister, they have to wait until it "grafts" or is
accepted by my body.

Not only does this sound like tons of fun, but guess what? Here's something
my kids think is hilarious: my immune system will be erased to the point
that when it comes back, it will have no immunity built up. That means I
have to get every SINGLE vaccine again. And it's a schedule similar to that
of a baby - vaccines at 6 months. Again at 9 months. Again at 12 months. Etc.
It's not mean that my kids think this is funny. They just think it's funny that I
will have to go through the same thing they have had to go through for years.

I will have lots and lots of restrictions both in the hospital and when I get home.
But that's for another post when I get more details.

It will be a tough month for me. And a tough month for my family. But it's
the first step in eradicating this thing that haunts me.

And here's the important thing: I can have visitors while I'm in there! You will need
to wear a gown and gloves. And I may or may not be great company. But that's
besides the point. I can have visitors. That's fabulous!