Rattled Cages at United HealthCare today!

I know there are folks that read Greg's blog that don't read mine, so I'm going to copy my entry from today, because I think it's important and needs to be here, as well.   To give a little background, Greg was supposed to have a PET scan today, and our insurance (the company I work for) was delaying it and not giving us the authorization to have it done.   We need to have the PET scan done so that we have the results prior to our visit to the oncologist on April 11th.   The problem is that the "standard" is either a CT scan, or an MRI.  A CT will not show us enough, and Greg can't have an MRI because he has a pacemaker.  One of the people I spoke to today told me that if it doesn't follow the "protocol" that it has to go for further review.  The fact that he has a pacemaker meant NOTHING to this first reviewer, and she basically told me so.   I was at my wit's end.  So please continue reading to find out  what happened today.   It's pretty awesome!   (If anyone's interested in reading my blog, you can find it here:  Mrs. Mik's Blog  )

If you read my previous post, you know that I'd been having problems with our insurance approving Greg's PET scan.  I had been trying to figure out a way to get the attention of someone higher up in the company and not coming up with anything.  Of course, I'd been praying and asking God for guidance.  

This morning, when I logged on at work, I saw on our company intranet site an article about National Doctor's Day.   I clicked on the article and decided that I had to leave a comment!   There is absolutely no doubt about it.  This was GOD directing me!   Here's what I posted:  

Within two hours of my post, I received an email from a woman stating that she had escalated my issue!!!!!  About ten minutes later, I had an IM (instant message) from the Director of the Cancer Team of OptumHealth (owned by United HealthGroup).   He stated that another woman was going to be reaching out to me.  Within 30 minutes, I had another call from someone at United HealthCare.  Jeanne is part of a team that helps its employees deal with issues such as ours.   

Jeanne was AWESOME to deal with!  She spent most of her afternoon contacting people within United HealthCare to find out what is going on and how to get this moving ahead.   When I spoke with her at 4:00, she advised that at 2:00, Greg's prior authorization request for the PET scan was placed in URGENT status.  That meant that they had to have a decision within THREE hours.   

I received a call from Greg's doctor exactly three hours later advising that the PET scan had been approved!  YAY!   

When I was speaking with Jeanne, she advised that she had received numerous emails from "higher ups" at United HealthCare and they are watching Greg's case!   The doctor that I had spoken to earlier in the day also advised that he contacted the head doctor at United HealthGROUP about our situation, as well!   United HealthGroup is #6 on the Fortune 500 and has an operating income of more than $11 BILLION dollars!   The HEAD DOCTOR of that company is now watching our case! No one can tell me that God's hand was not involved!      

Praise God that everything has worked out and we now have numerous people watching over us and making sure that Greg's treatment (whatever it may be), is taken care of properly by our insurance company!  THAT is the company I work for!  Thank you, United HealthCare!   

Post-May, 2000 Diary Entries

May 14, 2001 So, it's now been almost a year since my last entry.  WOW!  I guess I got wrapped up in the real world and all that there is to do to get better! I have had no drastic symptoms of any kind.  I have had bouts of mouth sores, head and chest congestion, and slight fevers here and there.  Other than that I don't look or think back! I had been getting shots of Epogen weekly, courtesy of my wife, Julie.  Dr. Vesole decided that we could terminate them as my red blood cells were doing great.  I returned to work full time on January 2, 2001, after one and a half months I fell out and needed two units of blood because my reds were so low. It was determined that I was anemic and would need the Epogen shots to continue to bolster my red blood cells. I only missed one day of work and continued the shots at home once a week. The hours I work are good for me, I get up at 2:30 a.m., I have a 35 minute drive to work and I start at 4:00 a.m. I finish at 12:30 p.m. and then pick up the children from school, mine and others in the neighborhood and lead a very much a normal life. I stay busy till it's time to go to bed at 8:00-8:30, when I thank the Lord, my wife, and my children for a good day! I coached football last fall, and am now coaching baseball. I continue to follow other BMT'ers, and try to help when I or my wife Julie can respond to others problems. My one year checkup went well, (the Epogen shots were reduced to once per month) and I will be starting my "baby" immunizations at my next appointment with my regular onc.  I can also finally have that long-awaited dental work that needs to be done, the severity of which we don't know yet.

I was off for a week after my checkup for a nasty head and chest cold, which after two weeks and antibiotics, is still lingering but manageable. I lost a friend I had never met in person but talked to via e-mail and twice on the telephone, he left shortly after his transplant to better things, and left behind a wonderful wife, daughter, and son. He lived in the state of Washington, was my age, and we shared our transplant journey together. I am still in touch on a weekly basis with another man my age who resides to the east of me in England, and is two months behind me in his travels with his new life.  We also share our voyage with others through our sites on the web and tend to sometimes meet at other peoples sites!!

I would like to say to all who have followed and wondered what happened, as far as the diary.  It was time to get away from the computer end of life and live away from what had been my way of living for a long time. It truly was a breath of fresh air and great to know that I could do other things once again and not look back.  Today it seems as if it never happened, life is indeed different though. It's better!!!!! Yeah, you still have to deal with the real world, but I know out of all this I feel content with what lies ahead !   Love, Peace, and Thanks to all who have sent well wishes and Prayers, it all works, for all of us!!!!!!!   Greg 

July 18, 2000: Hello!!!!! I know! It's been way too long, there just hasn't been much going on of that much importance on the medical front.  Thank God and all of you who continue to send prayers for myself and family.  Yesterday we went into the hospital for +100 day follow-up. The program included, Pulmonary Function Test (Lungs), Lab Work,(15 vials of blood), Bone Marrow Biopsy, Chest X-Ray, and CT-Scan of Pelvis, Abdomen,and Chest. The Pulmonary Function test, which consists of inhaling and exhaling into a computer monitored machine, (vigorously) did not go too well due to the ongoing sinus and chest congestion situation I have been in since the Transplant.  For someone like me who had Sinusitis almost all my adult life it's barely noticeable, but it definitely is having an effect on normal breathing and is the only thing right now that we are keeping an eye on. To the blood-suckers (Labs), we went next, I had my Hickman Catheter taken out 3 weeks ago, so we are now back to getting poked in the arm. I don't mind being poked, and I really disliked that catheter hanging out of me like a parachute rip-cord, I just didn't feel normal with a cord hanging out of my chest attached to a major artery going to my heart. So because of the rest of the tests requiring an I.V. hook-up, we put in an I.V line so as to only have one poke done allowing access for quick connect and disconnect for the day's later I.V. infusions. It took about 8-10 minutes to draw all the blood that they needed and we were then off to the Bone Marrow Biopsy, (YAHOOOOO!!!!!!).  I just jumped up on the bed and rolled onto my stomach and said "Let's Go!" (RIGHT!) After I was on the bed the nurse from the Lab came back and said she forgot to take one of the blood tests and would need me to come back after the BMB so I could give her one more vial of blood, O.K. we said and continued to proceed on the BMB.  I, or should I say Julie had E-mailed Karin, the physician assistant doing the extracting, on Sunday, asking if we could have the med Versed used to help along the way during the extraction, the Versed was there. The freezing of the hip area began, the Versed was infused through my I.V. line and we were on our way.  I  felt perfectly normal through the whole thing.  There was no dizziness or feeling high.  I could feel the pressure being applied to get the syringe into and through the bony area to get the extraction.  Now would come the test though, the extracting itself. My past extractions really left me grasping for something to clench onto due to the pain. Today's pain was half of what I was accustomed to and went very well, Thank you Karin! Julie sat there watching throughout the whole procedure.  This was her first time, so I think she was more squeemish than I was!  So Bone Marrow Biopsy complete, blood sucked all outta me, they throw me in a wheelchair and Julie wheels me down to the X-Ray lab for chest x-rays.  Bing, Bang, Boom, done all tests should be like this. Next stop CT-Scans, we arrive and drink the liquid barium everyone so much enjoys. I myself have no problem with it.  We now wait and watch t.v., listen to other patients bitch, or read a magazine.  I chose to listen to other patients bitch and Julie went to have some lunch. After hearing my last name slaughtered for the final time this day I was being wheeled to the room where the Big Doughnut lives. WOW!! I said to myself, a new machine, this new machine cut the process in half, what used to take 30-40 minutes now only took 15 minutes and I was out of there, that was great! Done for the day, now we come back on Friday for all of the results, which I will then report to all of you, I Guarantee it!!!!!  Thank You all so much once again for all your prayers and well wishes!!!!! Love, Peace, and Prayers for us all!   Greg

Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and Bone Marrow Transplants

Please note that this post was originally made in January, 2000.  Some information may have changed since then.  

WHAT IS BONE MARROW?

Bone marrow is a spongy tissue found inside your bones.  The bone marrow in the breast bone, skull, hips, ribs and spine contains stem cells that produce the body's blood cells.  These blood cells include white blood cells, which fight infection, red blood cells, which carry oxygen to and remove waste products from organs and tissues, and platelets, which enable the blood to clot. 

WHAT IS LYMPHOMA?

Lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system, which is a connecting network of glands and vessels that manufacture and circulate lymph throughout the body. Lymph is a colorless, watery fluid that contains white blood cells (which help fight infection). Along the network of vessels are groups of small, bean-shaped organs called nodes. Lymph nodes are clustered in the neck, under the arms, in the groin and abdomen. The lymph nodes make and store infection-fighting cells. The spleen and tonsils are also part of the lymph system. Lymphomas are diseases of the body's cells. Healthy cells grow, divide, and replace themselves in an orderly manner. When lymphoma occurs, cells in the lymphatic system grow abnormally. They divide too rapidly and grow without any order or control. Too much tissue is formed and tumors begin to grow. Because there is lymph tissue in many parts of the body, the cancer cells may spread to other organs such as the liver or spleen or into the bone marrow.

PREPARING FOR A BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT

Before the "conditioning" chemotherapy or total body irradiation (TBI) can start, a catheter (sometimes called a "Hickman") or "central line" will need to be inserted into a large vein in the patient's chest, just above the heart.  The purpose of the central line is to enable the medical staff to adminster drugs and blood products to the patient without the need for an IV, or constant "pokes" to draw blood. 

The conditioning chemo is designed to kill as many diseased cells as possible, without major damage to the patient's organs and tissues.  The drugs used in the conditioning chemo are many times the same drugs used in standard chemo, only in much higher doses, which are more effective in destroying the cancerous cells.  This conditioning chemo also destroys a patient's bone marrow. 

For patients undergoing a donor transplant, the patient must also receive agents that suppress the patient's immune system.  These "immunosuppressive" agents also help prevent the patients' body from rejecting the donated bone marrow (called "graft rejection").  TBI, and/or drugs are commonly used to prevent graft-rejection. 

TBI (total body irradiation) is used to suppress the immune system and make space for the new, healthy bone marrow, and to kill the diseased cells. 
BONE MARROW HARVEST:

The bone marrow harvest usually takes place under general anesthesia.  It involves little risk, and little discomfort.  While the donor is under general anesthesia, a needle is inserted into the cavity of the rear hip bone where a large quantity of marrow can be found.  The bone marrow is a thick, red liquid that is extracted with a needle and syringe.  Several punctures on each hip and numerous bone punctures are usually needed to extract the proper amount of marrow.  There are no incisions or stitches needed.  Only skin punctures where the needle was inserted. 

The amount of bone marrow harvested depends on the size of the patient and the concentration of bone marrow cells int he donor's blood.  Usually one to two quarters of marrow and blood are harvested.  This may sound like a lot, but it actually is only about 2% of a person's bone marrow, which the body will replace in approximately four weeks.

The Transplant

On April 12, 2000, on his son, Aaron's 9th Birthday, at 9:30 p.m., Greg received the gift of life from his brother, Tom.  Tom very generously underwent a bone marrow harvest wherein the doctors removed a half gallon of bone marrow to donate to his brother in an attempt to save his life.  While the actual harvest yielded a half-gallon of fluid, the amount that Greg received was quite small.  That is because during the harvest, there is a lot of other fluid, including blood, that is removed at the time.  The bone marrow taken from Tom was separated and washed, and washed, and washed, before it was given to Greg.  While the marrow harvested from Tom was red (due to the blood), the bag of cells that Greg received was a white, milky color.  That is because everything but the stem cells themselves were removed from Tommy's bone marrow prior to Greg receiving them.  

In this photo, Greg is simply waiting for Tommy's marrow to arrive.  Everything is set and ready to go, it's just a matter of time.  

The IV bag of cells that Greg received, contained 6 BILLION cells!  The process for the recipient is not, contrary to popular belief, a surgical procedure.  The donee simply receives the cells as another IV drip through the Hickman line.  Tommy's cells were given to Greg in less than 1/2 an hour!  I was able to be with Greg the entire time, as was our best buddy, Bill.  Greg's nurse, Julie, was with us the entire time to monitor Greg for any adverse reaction.  The only reaction Greg had to Tommy's cells was a slight feeling of tightness in his chest, and a decrease in his blood oxygen level.  This was corrected by simply putting him on oxygen.  Nurse Julie told us that this is a fairly common reaction.  

In this photo, the milky white bag (in the center of the photo) to the right of the larger saline bag are Tommy's stem cells.  Believe it or not, but this little bag holds 6 BILLION cells!  After all the chemo, and all the radiation, it all amounts to simply a very small IV bag that was given to Greg is less than half an hour!  Even having gone through this process, it is still totally amazing!  It is amazing that Tom was a 10/10 match for Greg, it is amazing that Tom did this for Greg, it is amazing that this treatment was available to Greg, and it is amazing that this little bag of cells holds what is necessary for Greg's body to being its life anew without all those horrible little cancer cells that we never wanted, nor asked for in the first place!!  We are truly grateful, first of all, to Tom, but also to the doctors and nurses and all the staff behind the scenes, from the cleaning people to the BMT coordinator (Joan), to Tom's coordinator (Dr. Michael Paul) to the insurance coordinators, and everyone else who has had a hand in this miracle at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, for their knowledge and expertise to be able to perform such a complicated procedure!  From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for everything you have done for us.  

In this photo, Nurse Julie is checking on Tommy's/Greg's cells.  Julie is the nurse that watched over Greg during the transplant procedure.  She stayed with us the entire time and kept a very close watch on Greg.  She didn't even mind answering all our questions during the transplant!   Thank you, Julie, for everything you have done!  You have been wonderful to Greg, and wonderful to all of us!  It is people like you who help to make this procedure bearable!  

Greg is watching those 6 billion cells as they run into his catheter.  Go cells, Go!  

Here's an up close view of the bag of Tommy's cells.  We were even allowed to keep the bag!  I wanted to ask Nurse Julie, but I just figured that we would not be able to.  Once it was done, she asked me if we wanted to keep the bag!  I was so surprised!  YES, I want to keep it!!!!  I carry that little IV bag in my totebag every day, and whip it out at every opportunity to show people!  I know it sounds weird, but this way, when someone asks, I can just SHOW them!  Hey, no one ever accused me of being normal, OK!  I can't help it.  Maybe some day, I'll be ready to let go, but not now, and not in the near future!  This little bag has given my husband, and the father of my children a new chance at life, a life he would not have otherwise had.  I can't help but be sentimental over it. 

May, 2000 Diary Entries

05/07/00  Day +25 I know it's been a LONG time since anything has been added to the diary, and for that I am truly sorry!  Just as things went so fast when Greg was first admitted to the hospital and the transplant date neared, so too, was it WAY too hectic once he was released!  Yes, I said RELEASED!  Believe it or not, but Greg was released on Day +19 -- May 1, 2000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Just a week before, he was totally helpless and dependent on others for every basic necessity of life, and once those counts came up . . .   well,  . . . Greg being Greg, there was just no stopping things! 

So, to try and put things in the correct order of their happening, I will try to start somewhere around the time of the last diary entry, which was April 24.  Suffice it to say that things really sucked for a while there.  BUT, they do take a turn for the better!  I'll probably end up repeating myself a little, and backtracking somewhat, because I want to be able to put everything in here, but it's all a jumble right now, so please bear with me. 

On Monday, April 24, as Greg's mom and I were sitting there taking care of Greg, who walks in, but his brother, Gary!  What a shock that was!  You see, Gary first of all HATES hospitals!  Secondly, he does not, in any way, shape or form, like elevators.  Every other time Gary was at the hospital, he was with his wife.  Not that there's anything wrong with that.  It was just such a shock to see him, all alone!  After seeing how bad Greg was on Easter Sunday, he took off work early on Monday because, as he put it, he "just had to come down to see him."  That brought tears to my eyes, and still brings a lump to my throat.  I don't think Gary will ever realize how much that meant to me!  OK, I just read over the diary, and realize that You all know all this already!  I will try to get to the new stuff now Sorry!  By the way, did I mention that on Saturday, April 22, I had the carpet cleaners over to the house so I wasn't able to go to the hospital until later in the day.  Well, Greg was still having a pretty hard time, and I was really bumming because I had to be home for the carpet cleaners, and couldn't be at the hospital.  Well, I talked with Greg's mom, and it turns out that Jody couldn't bear to leave Greg alone in that shape, so she went to the hospital to sit with him until I could get there, because no one wanted him to be alone in that condition.  Once again, I've got lumps in my throat.  I just don't know how to say THANK YOU any more. 

OK, so on the 25th, you already know that Greg's NG tube was taken out.  On the 26th, Greg's basil morphine was lowered, and on the 27th, it was lowered again.  Because morphine is so addictive, and is a narcotic, a person has to be weaned off of it.  If it was just stopped cold turkey, there would be incredible withdrawals.  Greg was still able to use his "button" every 15 minutes to get an additional 1 mg of morphine for pain, but was not using it as much any more.  In fact, at one point, he asked for some pain medicine, and his mother handed him his "clicker" and he looked at it and said "what the hell is this?  I've never seen this before in my life."  Irene and I BUSTED out laughing!  That clicker was his BEST FRIEND for at least four days!  He hit that little bugger 88 times on Saturday night, and 66 times on Sunday!  Too funny!  I have to say, it really felt good to be able to laugh again.  Just knowing that Greg was doing better, and that his counts were up was a HUGE relief for all of us.  It's strange how the little things in life become so meaningful in times like these.  Just being able to laugh about something.  Well, I guess that tells you how grim things can get at times. 

On April 26 and 27, Greg is doing better and better, his counts are coming up VERY nicely, and on Friday, April 28th, the doctors start talking about him coming home the next week!  Holy cow!  I'm not ready for that!  I haven't gotten things straightened out at work, I haven't gotten the house cleaned, I haven't gotten all kinds of stuff done!  OHMYGOD!  So, I talk to my boss Friday morning -- she's in Mexico on vacation at the time, and try to warn her that it MAY be the next week that he comes home, but I'm hoping for Wednesday, which will give me time to get the house done.  Well, that works out fine as far as work goes, seeing as Monday is going to be hectic with it being her first day back and all.

On Saturday, April 29, I call Greg in the morning, as is my custom, and he tells me that he can COME HOME FOR A VISIT!  Again, Holy Cow!  I'M NOT READY FOR THIS!  Because I was shooting for Wednesday, I haven't gotten anything done -- besides that, this is only the day after I found out he'd be coming home in a couple days.  So, here it is Saturday morning, and I've got to find someone to watch the kids, get the van cleaned, and get my butt to the hospital ASAP because of course, he's got his undies in a bundle to get HOME for a while.  So, I drop the kids off at Don and Mary's house across the street (THANK YOU DON AND MARY), and run off to the car wash (no I'm not that silly, I had to get the INSIDE cleaned), get gas, and run off to the hospital to get Greg.  We get home and get Greg inside, and I run over and get the kids, and we have a very nice, actually quiet little reunion.  It had been over three weeks since the kids had seen their dad, and I had warned them over and over and over again about not jumping on him because of the Hickman, so it was quite subdued.  It was nice.  They were all very good, and after ten minutes wanted to know if they could "go outside and play."  Geez, doesn't that just sound like kids!  At least Greg knew his absence hadn't changed them in any way!  Greg had to be back at the hospital by 8:30 so he could be hooked up to the IV for some meds, and of course, Mary, our WONDERFUL neighbor, agreed to watch them again.  Thanks again, Mary!  Course, she spoils the kids, and has two of her own close to Aaron and Erica's age, so the kids practically live over there anyway!  I don't think it seemed any different from any other weekend for her!  <grins>  It was a huge help to be able to leave the kids there, because I think the reunion in the van would have been too difficult, and the kids were not allowed in the BMT unit of the hospital, and it would have been too long for them to wait in the van in the parking lot. 

So, on Sunday, April 30, the doctors decide that Greg can come home for a visit again, and can come home for good on Monday, May 1!  Holy Crap!  I'M REALLY NOT READY FOR THIS!  Once the NG tube came out, I figured Greg would have another two weeks or so in the hospital!  Here it is one week later, and he's ready to walk out the door!  Even though the doctors were talking "next week," I figured I still had some time!  WRONG.  Truth be told, it scared the crap out of me!  I didn't have the house ready for him to come home, I hadn't had the cleaning people in yet, I still had plants in the house, and I figured my boss wouldn't be happy that I wouldn't be there her first day back.  Well, I called the cleaning people and made an appointment for them to come on Tuesday (the doctors all said that one night wouldn't hurt Greg -- and it's not like the house was THAT dirty -- after all I do a pretty good cleaning job every week myself), I called my boss and told her that I wouldn't be in, and got my butt in gear for Monday morning. 

Monday morning, May 1 rolls around and I get up early to get the kiddos ready to go to school and to the sitter, pack up the last of the plants -- no easy task because the biggest one was upstairs, and is a MONSTER!  I wasn't smart enough to have Greg's brother or the neighbor carry it down for me on Sunday--DUH, so I ended up doing it myself, and trying to get that sucker in the van -- no easy task mind you, but then again, there was one very determined woman doing it.  So, I get the last of the plants (only 6 of them, mind you) in the van, Mary sees I'm still home and offers to drive Aaron to school (thanks, Mary), and I end up leaving a short time later with the girls for the sitter's house.  After that, it's off to my sister, Martha's house to drop off the last of the plants.  Martha is also the one who has taken over the care of Big Bird (a/k/a Joey, a/k/a Big Mouth), my parrot.  The doctors didn't think it was a good idea to have my parrot in the house for at least six months.  Martha offered to take him, and she's close enough that I can visit, and he won't feel I have abandoned him!  THANKS, MARTHA!  At this point, Joey is feeling truly at home, because Martha's house has turned into a JUNGLE with all the extra plants she has taken on!  I suppose I should thank Martha's husband, Kevin, too, because I do believe that he's not overly fond of Big Bird -- especially when he's screeching loud enough to be heard down the block and Kev's trying to sleep!  Martha's getting back at me, though, because she's spoiling the hell out of Big Bird, (gee, thanks) and he's going to be awfully irritated when he comes home and won't be out of his cage for ten hours a day because we're at work!  He's only allowed out when we're home -- for his own safety, as well as that of the dog's, who's terrified of him!! 

So, to continue, the plants are safely at Martha's, and I'm on my way to the hospital, finally, for the BIG DAY.  At this point, I am going to stop this entry.  It has gotten quite long, and as is par for the course, it has gotten quite late.  I need to get some sleep so that I can get up in the morning and get the kiddos off to school. I will try to write more again tomorrow night, but am not making any promises.  There's lots of work to be done around here, and the days just fly.  Rest assured that Greg is being well taken care of and is doing better than anyone anticipated, including his doctors!   Please continue your thoughts and prayers as they are obviously working, and are truly greatly appreciated!   

Love, peace, health and prayers,

Julie


05/08/00  Day +26 Well, hello everyone! I'm back.  After reading and listening to all the stories this past week since I've been home I think I'm once again ready to contribute to this adventure we call Bone Marrow Transplant! First and foremost, thank you's to my daily visitors while at the hospital. To you Julie my wife, Thank You! I myself along with our children, families, and friends truly witnessed what innerstrength, love, and drive to always be on top of things unfolded out of you and just did what had to be done to make sure everyone knew what was going on. You were and are truly something! Bill my friend, who came on a nightly basis, as we jokingly put it because he lived down the block and it got him out of the house! To my mother and sister Jody, who supplied daytime company and plenty of humor, Boy!, what a pair! Thank You! To my brother Gary and his wife, Julie, Thank You! Gary, Thanks for being there when I wasn't, I was very touched when told what you did, Thank You! Brother Tom, the Main Man! I've been thanking you for your help and being there seems like my whole adult life! Thank You! Bill's wife, Luanne, Thank You! Your huge candy bar posters were a hit with the nurses, who in turn divied up the munchies amongst themselves.  Chris Nelsen, my friend and neighbor, Thank You! It was nice of you to do the things you did! A major Blast from the Past, Steve Plumb, Thank you! It's like he came out of nowhere. Don and Vicki, Thank You! It was a nice lunch hour visit! Ron and Linda Thank You! To bring pictures of your trip along was a nice touch to the evening. To everyone else who was there in thought, and Prayers, Thank You! All the many visitors to the site, and E-Mail list Thank You! The Nurses and Doctors who watched me ever so closely and were always there, truly a Proffesional, Quality Team! #1 Top notch all the way, Thank You!!! To Julie's mother Joyce, and father John, Thank You for coming down from "Up-North" as we call it here in Wisconsin to be there for Julie and help with the children, and things around the house, and also John, thanks for stopping at the hospital. Finally to my Dad, Thanks for calling when you did, I know you love me! As I also love you! Whew! That was hard, I hope I didn't miss anyone, if so and as more comes back to me I will be sure to thank you all also. In the upcoming diaries, once again through my eyes and thoughts what happens after the Transplant. Please stay in touch, I'm seeing this as a most interesting time and yet another road in which to travel and learn about life through a new mind set! Once again, Thank You All! Love, Peace, and Prayers for us all.   Glad to be back!! Greg

05/09/00  Day +27 It's been 4 days since seeing the doctor on Friday and all is well Biologicaly, counts were so good last Friday that he said not to come in till one week from then, which would be this Friday. Went last night to watch my son, Aaron play his first baseball game of the season, wore a mask, alot of dust in the area, I have been walking 2-3 times daily at home but to no great distance as of yet. It seems like I can give it a go for 15-20 minutes then need the balance of the hour to rest and just relax, so I am being very careful as to how much I do. My body feels as if it has gone through a 15 round Championship Fight, my mind is O.K., that's up for debate, the Hickman bothers me, still don't like the thing hanging out of me. Eating is a big problem right now, all foods have no flavor and just seem to turn to paste once being chewed on, I found a bowl of Cream of Wheat to do the trick in the morning, then a high protien shake, followed by whatever I can stomach to eat at dinner with the family. Today, Tuesday, I'm in a funk it's been raining all day leaving me with not much to do so I'm kinda down, but hey! it's only the first day of no sunshine since I've gotton out of the hospital, how can I complain. So there you have it nothing glaring sticking out, just a bunch of little stuff that really amounts to nothing which I thank the Lord for. I think the only other thing that is not right yet is my ability to get a good night sleep. I can't seem to find the comfort zone, and the mind not wanting to shut off. So as I continue on my mending ways we will say farewell for today and hopefully have more good news tommorow. Thank you all for everything, each and everyone of you! Love, Peace, and Prayers for us all.   Greg

05/16/00  Day +34 It's been a week since I last wrote and sorry to say not much to report on. Things are very slow especially me. I'm weak and tired and am moving about very slowly, I find myself with a constant chill to the bone requiring me to stay dressed warm even in the house. Took a walk in the mall last Thursday, required a great effort, had to make several rest stops and really left me dragging the rest of the day. The weather here has been cool and rainy thus keeping me inside more than I would like to be, good news on the sleeping front, I now find myself getting good nights sleep. For a normal person I would say I am getting way too much, but then again I am not normal yet, 10 1/2 to 13 hours I have been averaging and I have to say it feels great, it's just a little bit harder to get out of bed after sleeping for such a period of time. Onto the consumption of foods and liquids, I find great delight in the fact that my dad has enjoyed keeping me supplied with his home made soups. He makes all his soups the old fashion way, and let me tell you these are the only things I can really stomach right now, I try daily in the evening when the children and my wife eat supper to have a little of what they are having and slow but sure I can taste just a little of what it is that they are eating. My appetite is starting to pick up, so I feed myself small portions at a time, Cream of Wheat, a power shake, a bowl of soup, and another bowl before I go to bed. I pretty much can not handle anymore food commercials on t.v. and wait for the day when I can sink my teeth into a Roasted Chicken, I guess I've seen more chicken commercials than any other red, white, or other meat including fish which I did have some on Friday to no luck as far as flavor was concerned. Last Friday we went to the hospital for blood work and follow-up, results are WBC down but not concerned at this time, all other counts good and holding steady. Liver function a little high and will be watched closely, sinus and deep lung congestion also being watched but as far as I'm concerned once again little things that don't amount to much in the large picture of what is going on. I am glad to see the hard work that Julie has put into the site has helped quite a few people already facing or going into BMT and our Prayers go out to all of those as their Prayers were directed our way during our time of need. As soon as Julie can tear herself away from all the chores she has been handling, we have more pictures to add to the site, so please watch for these and I myself will probably keep my diary logs to once a week unless something of importance pops up.  I thank you all again, for your thoughts, well wishes, and Prayers!  Love, Peace, and Prayers to all of you!   Greg

April, 2000 Diary Entries

4/7/00 OK, OK, OK,!  I know I haven't been here lately, but, I'm now at Froedtert Memorial Hospital with a view at the top, eighth floor, that is.  The room is small but the view out the window makes up for the size of the room.  We got here at 8 a.m. on Thursday, and sure enough, what's the first question they ask?  "We need to get some  blood from you, Greg."  Surely this made me realize we were at the right place.  The Hickman catheter procedure went fine, and once again was very interesting as to how they insert such a gizmo into a main artery.  After the doctor explained the procedure, I told him I had a very uneasy feeling about the procedure and was hoping the right kind of mind easers would be put to use.  His reply was "that's up to the girls," so with that said, I proceeded to explain to the girls and their response was "Do you want drugs?"  So, by golly, they took care of me!  I asked them what they were giving me and I'll be damned if I can remember!  The procedure itself is very interesting.  They lay you flat on your back, tie you down, the drugs were administered as needed and worked just great.  They bring a large camera over the chest and shoulder area to allow the doctor to follow the proper route on a monitor which was not alone, but had 5 others with it on a large support arm.  As we prepared to start, they made a tent like shape over my face for everyone's protection, and the following words were spoken:  "you're going to feel a few pokes and some stinging, this is just to freeze the area where the insertion will be made."  At this time, I asked the nurses if the mind easers were working, and they said yes, but we can give you more.  I replied "please, that would be nice."  The next step was the insertion of the catheter.  This turned out to be quite a struggle, or so I thought.  By watching the catheter on the monitor the doctor seamed his way through to his final destination, a major artery to the heart.  There was no pain to speak of, on the cloud that I was on, but he was using a lot of pressure and I could tell this was no easy task.  After he was finished, I joked with the doctor, saying to him as I listened while he was at work that I didn't hear "OH SHIT!", or "UH, OH," or "OOOOOOOOOOPS!"  I then thanked him for a job well done and that I felt much more at ease now.  Chest x-rays were next on the agenda, and then back to my room where Julie was putting the final touches on the laptop. 

I started chemo at 8:00 p.m. Thursday night.  The mixture is Ara-C and Cisplatin and will continue until Sunday.  Monday begins the TBI (total body irradiation). 

I must mention that we are having one of those April winter blizzards right now.  This one looks pretty bad, but after all is said and done, will be melted in a few days.  Poor Julie.  It's a long drive to begin with (45 miles), and to throw a blizzard at her, I don't think that's what she needs right now. 

Well, that's about it for now.  it's only been 2 days and I know as the days go much more will come to the front.  Did I mention the freedom that is allowed for the patient, as long as you stay in the BMT ward, everything is open to you.  They have a refrigerator and freezer filled with goodies, ice machine and microwave.  In another room is a lounge area for patients and visitors.  This room features two TVs, one for adult viewing and the other for children who want to play Nintendo.  What's that???  There is a huge video library, along with plenty of reading material, board games, puzzles, a piano, a dart board, a computer (without internet access) and there is always hot coffee available.  Walking the ward doesn't take long only 2-3 minutes, depending on speed and traffic.  Exercise bikes are available, and I have one coming to my room tomorrow.  Bottom line:  so far so good!  Love, Peace and Prayers to you all!  Greg

04-10-00   The days are going quickly, my gosh it's Monday morning already, chemo is done and Total Body Radiation starts at 6:3O a.m. The first visit of three per day I am told is the longest due to the sizing up of the protective lead blocks that cover the lungs, kidneys and other vital organs in this area. There are 2 five minute sessions, one frontal, while standing, and also one turned around for your back area, the plates are put on a rope which is then pulled and adjusted to fit accordingly, please go to picture site on radiation process (to be added today or tomorrow). You are enclosed in a plexiglass type box during all off this, and besides hearing the music of your choice that you listen to during this, you have no idea of what is taking place. There are no flashing lights or laser beams searing through your body, you feel nothing, it's like having a 5 minute x-ray taken. I have just finished my second treatment and feel fine so far.  The side effects to watch for are only tiredness and maybe some pinking of the skin area. The zap sessions are carried out in 4 hour intervals so my next one is scheduled for 4:OO p.m. which is when Julie will take pictures for the site and also some video for the children.  We also took video of the ward today for the kids and plan on going back and forth with video visits between the children and myself. The hospital is just not a place for healthy children to be in, especially my 3 darling, little angels. So after tonight, 6 more zap sessions and then the harvest of marrow from Tom.   I'm told chances are also good of taking pictures during that surgical procedure for the site. That will be Wedensday, with the marrow going into me sometime that night. So all is well here, let's hope and pray all continues to do the same. Love and Peace, Greg

4-14-00 Well, things went too quickly to try to log as they occured, so I will backtrack a bit now that I have some time to sit back and recollect on the days' past happenings.  Transplant Day went FAST!  Tom was here at 6:00 a.m. and had the harvest done by 10:30. Two quarts of fluid (that's 1/2 a gallon!) were taken from Tom.  Pictures were taken for the site by Michael Paul, the Physician Assistant who coordinated the harvest.  Thanks Dr. Paul!  When the harvest was finished, he told us that Tommy produced "lots of good cells."  While this was going on, I was still busy finishing up on my zap procedures.  After my last one at 4:00 p.m., instead of "transport" taking me back to my room, Jody and Julie whisked me away to visit Tommy in the recovery area to see how he was doing.  There he lay, long and lanky, lookin' like Casper!  He said he was weak and tired and knew he would feel better in the morning.  I thanked him, and told him that I would talk to him later when he was in better shape and I would be the one feeling worse for the wear. 

The word was out that the transplant would occur at 9:30 p.m., so while the cells were being prepared (separated, cleaned and washed), we began preparations.  Julie and my friend Bill were there at 9:30, along with my nurse, (named Julie -- not to be confused with my wife), and the marrow.  Nurse Julie set up the heart and oxygen monitor and we began.  The bag of marrow contained 6 billion cells, all set to be cut loose and find their way to their new home!  My vitals were monitored the entire time and for the remainder of the evening.  I even managed to find some sleep along the way.  The only problem with the transplant was that my blood oxygen level was low and I had some tightness in the chest.  This is a fairly typical reaction, and was cured by placing me on oxygen for a couple of hours. 

The next morning, I awoke at 4:30, had vitals taken, blood drawn, and went to get a cup of coffee and for a walk around the now familiar eighth floor BMT unit.  When the first shift nurse came on board, she noticed some blood on my T-shirt, so we hit our first wall.  Allegedly, I had tugged on the Hickman sometime during the night and caused the bleeding.  Nothing was damaged, but I spent the entire day laying in bed flat on my back, trying to stop the bleeding, changing the dressing and adding a five-pound weight to add pressure to stop the bleeding.  By approximately 4:30 p.m., we had accomplished our goal and were ready to face the next battle of the transplant! 

This next battle was becomming a joke as much as it was a concern, because it had to do with not having a bowel movement for five days and  how many "hats" I would fill for the nurses to check and emply when I finally had to go!  I asked the nurse in advance if I could have extra hats because I knew it was coming.  They gave me a total of three, which I filled not once, but twice!  Whew!!!  Concern number 2 out of the way (no pun intended), and I could really relax for a while.  The night was slow and I could start to feel the beginning of soreness and tightness in and around my throat.  I slept OK, mainly just rested, but that's all I need right now.  Friday morning, I awoke at 4:30, had a cup of coffee, came to check the laptop and took a walk in the hall.  Soreness in the mouth was much worse.  My hands are starting to puff up (a side effect of the steroids) and generally starting to feel other effects that are on their way.  Counts are on their way down, and I guess so, for I am very tired and sore, and just kinda feeling like shit! 

Julie, my mother and my sister hve been here the last three days and I thank them for supplying the humor that was needed here around my environment!  They are all gone now and it's 2:30 Friday afternoon and right now I just need to lay back and close my eyes and relax.  I've been pushing it and I can feel my body saying take a time-out!

Love, Peace and Prayers to you all

Greg

04/15/00:  Day +3 and all is working.  Were going down, counts, feelings, hours, whatever!  As I said yesterday when i signed off, I could feel the transformation taking over.  I spiked a fever at 102 and just felt it was time to rest.  Chest x-rays were ordered and a bunch of blood cultures were taken.  I'm having a hard time putting things to words right now, so it is difficult to write at this moment.  Too many things are going on in my head right now, but all are of positive thoughts.  I can see it may be a couple of days before I might be able to explain waht it is that I am going through right now, inside myself, feeling and listening to the body that is changing as a whole new process begins to form a new physical awareness.  I must relax.  it is all just too much to talk and write about at this time.  Thank you all for your prayers, thoughts and wishes.  Love and Peace Greg. 

4/17/00:  OK, folks, Greg is just not able to continue the diary at this time, so I am going to attempt to do it for him.  I am going to apologize at the outset for not have the wit and humor and insight that he has, but I can only tell you what I have been observing.  Please keep in mind that this is all from the caregiver's perspective.  I don't know EXACTLY what Greg is feeling, I can only tell you what I see. 

Today is Day +5.  The blood cultures from Day +3 came back empty.  Therefore, we do not know what type of infection Greg may be fighting that he is spiking a temp.  Over the weekend, it hovered around 99.  Greg has been on an antibiotic called Cyclosporine (sp?) and was being given that through the Hickman.  Unfortunately, that particular drug is known to cause headaches, and it did a whopper of a job on Greg.  He was in quite a bit of misery Saturday night, and I don't think he even remembers my being at the hospital.  We managed to get him some relief with new painkillers, thanks to Nurse Julie. 

Greg spiked a fever of 102 again Sunday night (Day +4) and again was taken for chest x-rays. The x-rays show no sign of pneumonia, so that is a good thing.  Blood cultures were again taken, but the results won't be back for a few days.  Greg is still on antibiotics, but the Cyclosporine is being given in pill form and hopefully will not cause the headaches that the IV form gives him.

Greg is finding it very difficult to talk right now because his mouth and throat are covered with sores from the high dose chemo and total body irradiation.  Unfortunately, this means it is difficult for him to eat as well.  He did manage to eat some mashed potatoes, mooshed veggies, and his strawberry shake.  As long as he keeps at a minimum of 1,000 calories per day, he will not have to go on IV food.  One of his goals is to avoid that, if at all possible, but it is difficult, to say the least.  Greg has also been experiencing some moments of confusion.  This is most likely due to the fact that he is receiving so many different medications.  This is normal, but still frightening.  He does not always remember from one moment to the next what was said or what is going on around him.

Greg is trying to walk around the unit, but whereas it used to take him 2 minutes to do the entire unit, it now takes 10 to 15 minutes.  He is very slow and slightly unsteady.  While some of this can be attributed to the morphene he is now taking for the mouth sores (he has his "Jeopardy" button available whenever it's needed), it is also because his white counts have completely bottomed out.  The hope is that by next Wednesday they will begin rising, and we will see Tommy's cells going to work in there.  

Greg has been a real trooper through all of this.  When asked how he feels, he keeps saying that he feels the way he is supposed to feel.  While this is good in one respect, it is bad in another, because he won't tell the nurses or doctors EXACTLY what he is feeling, so they may not be able to catch something that he thinks is normal, but is actually not.  That's where I come in.  I push and push and push to find out EXACTLY what is going on in there, and then tell the nurses.  That's my job as wife and caregiver.  I want to make sure he gets the best possible care there is, which he is getting, but the staff can only help him if they are told what is wrong.   

I think one of the scariest parts about all this is seeing a man who is used to being very active reduced to this condition.  This is very difficult for me to see, and I have a hard time leaving him every day.  I know I have to go to work, if only for my own sanity, and I know that I have to leave him to get home to take care of the kids and get the housework done.  I just miss him so much.  I need him around and his children need him too.  Every day when we come home, little Abby sees his van and says "Daddy home?"  Whenever she talks to him on the phone, the first thing she says is "Daddy done?"  All three kids miss him terribly.  It is so hard trying to explain what is happening and how their Uncle Tommy saved their daddy's life.  They just are too young to understand.  There are times it is hard for ME to understand it all.  I just know that this is God's plan, and we have to keep the faith no matter how difficult it may be.  Please, keep Greg in your thoughts and prayers.  We need him back home.  We need him healthy.  We just plain need him. 

I have to mention to everyone that Greg's employer, and his boss, in particular, have been absolutely WONDERFUL through all of this.  At this very moment, there is an employee-wide fundraiser going on, spearheaded by his boss, Dan, and we have now found out that the company will match whatever the employees contribute.  After finding out that the company would continue to pay the employer portion of the health insurance, I was so grateful that I couldn't have asked for anything more.  Now I have found out about the company matching the funds raised by employees, and the owners and shareholders themselves are personally contributing, so they, in essence, are contributing twice.  I cannot thank these people enough.  I am at a point where I do not even know HOW to thank them.   I just don't know what to say about the generosity of these people.  They are truly "Easily the Best."

Love, Peace and Prayers,

Julie

4/19/00:  Well, folks, today is Day +7 for Greg.  I'll  start by saying that Greg is doing as well as can be expected.  He has had a few fevers, which initially scared the crap out of me, but I have come to terms with the fact that although fevers are the enemy (as harbingers of infection), they cannot be helped when you have NO immune system.

The good news is that the cultures from Monday are back.  The bad news is that the docs have identified a fungal infection that is most commonly associated with the hickman line. Greg is being treated with a drug called Amphoceterin.  This is a very powerful anti-fungal drug that children often call "Ampho the Terrible" because of the side effects.  Only one out of ten people will suffer severe side effects.  Unfortunately, Greg is the ONE!  He ended up with a high fever (they didn't tell me how high), and shaking and chills and confusion.  Because of that, when he receives the Ampho tonight, he will also be given another drug to counteract the side effects.  There's always another drug to fix the side effects, or two . . . or three . . .

Greg is also receiving a drug called Vancomyacin.  This is an antibiotic.  He was not having any side effects from this drug when I left at 4 p.m. today.  He has been getting this one since Transplant Day, April 12.  This is automatically given (prophelactically sp?), to try and head off an infection before it starts.

Right now, Greg's mouth sores are really bad and his tongue is rather swollen.  It is bad enough that he is receiving a steady dose of morphine in a "PCP" pump, and has his "Jeopardy" button to hit when he has any breakthrough pain.  He can hit that little bugger every 15 minutes to get another dose.  He's pretty out of it (as the pictures in the photo album show), and really doesn't remember from one moment to the next.  Between that and the "shakes" that he has from all the medications, it has been very difficult for me to see him this way.  One thing I really noticed is that his hands are so white, that they remind me of an old man's, especially when he is trying to do something and is shaking so bad that he can't do what he wants.  That is one of the things that is so difficult. 

He is "with it" enough to be able to snip at me for the littlest infraction, real or imagined!  (ha, ha).  It sometimes is hard to bite my tongue, but then I remember what is happening to him, and I would gladly bite my tongue until it bleeds, if it would make him feel better.  I have learned to ignore this (which took a while because his actions have been reminscent of the days when he was drinking -- only due to the medications this time).  I have decided that if this is the worst it gets, I can most certainly handle it.  My shoulders have become so strong that it's not even a burden to bear any longer.  This is just who I am.  I am the wife, caregiver, mother of three, and the person to whom he feels most comfortable letting his discomfort show!  I am happy that I am able to be there for him.  He is my rock and my inspiration.  Everyone says that I am so strong, but I have to tell you that HE is the strong one.  I cannot say that I would be able to handle all of this as well as he has if the tables were turned.  I just wish there was more I could do for him.  It's so difficult, leaving him every day after only 4 hours, but there's the kids, and dinner (what's that?  I certainly don't eat it any more), and then there's baseball practice for Aaron, and baths for the girls, and Aaron's shower after practice, and homework and bedtime, and on and on and on it goes.  Those of you who have kids know what I mean.  I'm trying to be a single mom, which is difficult in itself, but I have also to find the time and strength to spend at the hospital, make sure the kids are taken care of when I'm at the hospital (thanks to their babysitter, Rosemary, that's not usually a problem -- thanks Rosie!), but also go to work and do all the other "mom" things . . .  Then I think of the battle Greg's body is fighting.  Well, my problems here are pretty slim in comparison.

So, on that note, I will end this entry.  Sorry it's not more upbeat.  I guess I'm just feeling blue right now.  Please keep Greg and the kids in your prayers.  We all want him back home, need him home.  But we also need him healthy.  Pray for that health and strength that he needs so much.

Love, peace and health to everyone.  Julie

4/20/00:   So, today's post will not be much different from yesterday's.  The weather here in Southeastern Wisconsin has been really crappy.  I mentioned the cold and rain to Greg and told him he picked a good time to have this done, and his response to me was "Well, I planned it that way.  If I can't go golfing, nobody can go golfing!"  I think that's the first time he really made me laugh out loud!  What a good feeling that was! 

Greg is still suffering from immense confusion most of the time. He had been receiving a steady dose of morphine, and could hit the button any time he wanted more.  He was also still on the Ampho.  This afternoon, Dr. Akasheh ordered that the continuous dose of Morphine be turned off, but that Greg could hit the button any time he needed it.  Nurse Becky took care of that right away, and we're hoping to see some improvement in his mental state tomorrow.  Greg is also off the Ampho, because that can add to the confusion.  Hopefully, these measures will cure that, and Greg will once again know where he is.  It was so strange when I was there today.  At one point, he was resting in bed, and suddenly his arm comes up and he's waving it around like he's conducting an orchestra.  Later, when he decided that he's had enough of his popsicle, he started hollering for Aaron (our oldest), to come and finish the popsicle.  I had to remind him where he was and that Aaron wasn't there.  He was just so different.  His tongue is so swollen that it's difficult to talk.  Try holding your tongue with your fingers and talking -- that's what he sounds like.  I think it may have been less difficult to see if he had been able to talk normally.  The way he sounds when he talks just seems to make everything that much more obvious.   I'm praying that he will once again be coherent tomorrow. 

That's it for tonight.  Love, peace and health to everyone.  Julie

4/24/00: We are now at Day +12.  Greg has been taken off the Ativan, which is an anti-nausea medication, but also works as an anti-depressant, so it helps to calm him down.  His basil morphine drip (the steady dose) has been reduced to 3mg per hour (down from 4mg per hour), and he has been a little more coherent.  However, taking him off the ativan has made him more combative.  His mom, Irene got to the hospital at 8 a.m., thanks to Jody, and she stayed until about 4:30.  I got there at about 12:15, and stayed until 5:15.  For a good portion of that time, Greg was sitting in the recliner.  At one point, he wanted to get out, and was quite upset with me and his mother that we wouldn't let him.  I was holding down both arms, and Irene was helping me.  He was so strong!  We could barely restrain him, and at one point both shouted at the same time "GREG!" which although didn't calm him down, did bring two nurses and the doctor running!  It took Nurse Julie to calm him down.  I think he really thought his mom and I were just being mean to him!  At another point, when I took his hand away from his NG tube, he grabbed my wrist so hard, he left red marks!  Geez, it's amazing how strong he still is, even after all this!  He did calm down more later in the day, and at about 2:00 or so, his brother Gary showed up totally unexpectedly!  That was so nice!  Gary said that after seeing him on Easter Sunday, he just had to come!  That was a big step for Gary because he HATES elevators (and hospitals, too), and to come alone . . . well that meant a lot to me (and it will to Greg once I tell him that he was there). 

Some good news here:  Nurse Trish got Greg out of bed and up and walking around for a few minutes!  We need to get him moving, because his stomach is still quite bloated, and most of it is air (ok, it's gas, I'm trying to be delicate here).  In order for his intestines to start functioning properly again (and aid in getting rid of that gas), he has to start moving around.  We want to hear him tooting away as he's walking down the corridor!!!  What a joyous sound that will be!  (ha, ha).  Really getting down to the nitty-gritty basics here, folks, and Greg has always tried to be brutally honest about what is going on, so I'm just letting everyone know what's really happening!  It's kind of a sad state of affairs when I'm excited about things like this, but hey, we were in the bowels of hell for a while there (no pun intended), and it's just taking some time to climb back up.  I've always said that little things make me happy.  Right now, it's just those normal bodily functions that people don't mention in polite society that are what is needed to help make Greg feel better (and get rid of that awful NG tube). What can I say?  If that's what it takes, then it's a good thing!  :-) 

The best news is that Greg's Aboslute Neutrophil Count (ANC) has been rising!  The neutrophil's make up 50 to 60% of your white blood cells.  When the neutrophil count gets below 500, a body is at risk for serious infection.  Greg's ANC on Saturday, April 22, 2000 was at 100, and the doctor's were able to tell that these were Tommy's cells!  That means that Tommy's cells have started to engraft, and are starting to multiply and do exactly as they are supposed to!  On Sunday, his ANC was up to 200, and up to 280 on Monday!  Dr. Akasheh said that once Greg hits 500, he should be feeling 200% better than he is now!  Please keep those prayers coming.  They're working!  I will be sure to write more as things progress!  Take care, everyone.  Love, Peace, Health and Prayers.  Julie

4/25/00  Well, today is the day we've been waiting for!  Greg's ANC is up to 588!!!  Holy Cow!  Those cells of Tommy's are working their butts off in there!  Greg is feeling much better right now.  He's actually sitting up and eating at the moment!  Not much, just clear liquids, but it's a start!  Greg is also now off the NG tube.  That was taken out just after I got here at 12:30.  This is so wonderful!  From here on out, things are only going to continue to improve!  Greg's medications have been changed around quite a bit, due to the other problems he had been having, but now he is pretty much back to the normal BMT meds.  He is currently getting Cefepime, Vancomycin and Ambisome.  These three drugs are considered major antibiotics, and it is because of these drugs that Greg has not had any major infections!  The problems that he previously had were not related to any type of infection.  I have to run and help Greg walk around and take a shower!  Will write more later.  Love, Peace, Prayers and Health to everyone!  Julie

March, 2000 Diary Entries

3-2-00: WHOA NELLIE, STOP THE TRANSPLANT COUNTDOWN! The word is Severe Chronic Sinusitis.  This means massive blockage and infection in sinus regions which antibiotics have no chance of destroying. So I go to get Roto-Rootered and as soon as the healing process is done it's right to the Transplant.  I think were looking at 4-6 weeks if not sooner depending on how the healing goes. This is really hard on my wife, Julie, she had her mindset and now everything is up in the air again.  For me it's just another part of my life but with an ironic twist. The fact that so many people know so little of one another and now with the site and diary being read by so many people about our journey here seems to bring a lot of people closer together more so than otherwise. I guess the way I see it is I have extra time now to do more with my family which is really becoming a closer group than what we were before. I also will have a chance to eat a couple more good dinners at home with my wife and children. The menu no matter what after the Transplant won't be the same. Dates and times for upcoming events will be posted as soon as I get them, I know tomorrow I go to give blood and get an EKG done also get History for Surgery, and sign Surgery Consent forms. It's funny to me how easy this is for me to accept, I've never questioned any of this, what the hell is wrong with me? Love you all and Thanks so Much for being Here!   Peace Greg

3-13-00:   Yes I know it's been awhile but with the computer virus and all, and with nothing going on between last time and the surgery there wasn't much to say and the weather was beautiful so, what the Hell! The sinus surgery is done and gone. Things went well. It's just unbelievable what they can put up your nose! The packing was taken out two days after the surgery and I'm told to rest and relax this week, keep the sinuses moist with Saline nose spray every two hours, and take Antibiotics 4 times daily.  This Saturday I will go to the Ear, Nose, and Throat doc again and be instructed on how to irrigate my sinuses and will find out why I need to do the irrigation process, along with how the healing is coming along. Transplant updates are rough as of now. Tentative dates:  last week in March, first week of April. I'm sure more information will start rolling in as the days go by. My thoughts at this time are the surgery was not only done for necessity alone, but also for whatever reason it just wasn't time yet for the transplant! So, I will take the extra time given to me to do as much as I can around the house, spend time with my wife and children and brothers and sisters and possibly do a crazy thing or two! My mental state of mind is great, it still bothers me that I go through this like it's just a part of my life that was meant to be and from it will come the why I had to take this route on my road in life. It's true how they say, everything is so much different when you see life and love the way it is meant to be! Yes this is a most interesting time in my life, one in where you see, feel, and hear differently than what you had in the past. With this I'll leave today, I've got chicken soup simmering and a house that needs attention.  Love and Peace to you all!

3-19-00:  Well here we are back at the good news, bad news station. Good news!- The sinuses are looking good, and I am now irrigating them twice a day, ten minutes at a time. The process is simple, a salt and baking soda solution along with water is squirted up the sinuses using a baby ball syringe, for those of you who have children you know exactly what we speak of! After the ten minutes of flushing the solution through the sinuses you are then to blow out all the loose debris that has broken up in your sinuses from the flushing. It's easy and simple and there is no pain! More good news, my birthday was Saturday, and I would like to thank everyone for their e-mail cards and wishes, along with those who still do it the old fashioned way and sent cards and wishes through the mail.  My brothers Tom and Gary, along with Julia, Gary's wife, treated Julie and myself to a birthday dinner at a fine dining establishment.  I got a single candle that was stuck into each course that was served to us. The candle would be lit and all would sing Happy Birthday! My wife Julie gave me a medal to wear--the Patron Saint of Cancer Victims, whom I didn't even know existed. The Saint is St. Peregrine, who is recognized as the patron saint, because a malignant cancerous growth on his leg was cured.  A surprise gift also came from my neighbor Chris, (Optional Helper), a nice Wisconsin Badger sport shirt.

O.K. Bad news! As I type this this I am running a fever and have pneumonia symptons.  I hit the hay right after we got home from the birthday dinner, and was running a fever of 101.9, YIKES I say! I slept on and off through the night, soaked the bed from night sweats, and feel like a wet noodle! I'm going to lay in bed the rest of the day, drink hot tea, and hopefully feel better tommorow.  I know that this is not a good situation to be in, and I'll be damned if I can figure it  out.  The only thing I can think of is that I was very active this past week, inside and outside the house, with the weather not being up to par.  Maybe I caught another bug, I don't know! I"m sure I'll know more on Monday, and will report on my status then. Love and Peace! Greg

03-24-00:  O.K. Back from another hospital stay! Word is some type of infection that went to the lungs causing pneumonia type symptoms, fever, cough, and just plain old sick as a dog shit! The stability of my immune system is becoming non-existent and Transplant needs to be gotten to soon! As soon as proper healing of the sinuses is complete, we are in. I felt the sense of urgencey thru my doctors voices yesterday as I went to have bloodwork done and my sinuses sucked out, boy was that a joy! Everybody is talking two weeks, but that is not in writing. I find myself now realizing I have little time to finish the one or two things I wanted done before I begin the Transplant to do! I will be finishing shelves for storage in the basement to keep things organized and off the floor, and also do a mailbox flower bed thing out in front of the house, along with finishing off the sump pump exit area so the water will spill out into the roadway and not stay puddled on the grassy area. I always work better when I have little time to do things, hence the nick-name from my sister-in-law, "Last Minute Man" . so with these words in the book I'm off to the world of last minute wonder jobs! Love and Peace to all and thanks so much for all the well wishes and prayers. Also to all you who keep my wife Julie together Thank You! She needs you all, she truly is going through shit, and I just pray she can keep herself together..

3-30-00: The countdown is back on!  As you can see, Julie added a contdown clock to the front page of the site along with some new pictures.  She is doing a wonderful job! I've been busy putting up the shelves in the basement, along with a new mailbox post, which turned out nice and only cost me a few bucks! My fear of the sump pump always running (due to the fact that for whatever reason, we are the only ones around here pumping out water on a regular basis) came to pass as it burned up Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. What good timing I thought. At least now I could replace it with a better pump and feel better about that whole situation when I'm in the hospital. Thank you Lord for Menard's, as I "saved big money" as they like to say.  But it also saved me from waiting till the next morning before I could buy a replacement pump. So I went to get the pump a half hour before closing time and had it in by 8:00 p.m. I am still for some reason worried about a power outage and am still looking for a backup system for the pump.  It's going to be like a $275.00 investment, but for peace of mind, a good one. Well enough of that! The admittance day is in writing and is for the sixth of April, with the Transplant on the 12th of April, which is my son's ninth birthday.  How ironic this seems. We will soon be logging in on the diary on a daily basis and providing everyone with good firsthand information and education on the Bone Marrow Transplant Procedure. Yes, this will be through my eyes and probably through some of Julie's also, depending on how things go!  We've all been waiting a long time for this and now we're almost there.  So hang on everyone and get ready cause we're going to go on a Crazy Train and I'm going to be the Engineer! Love you all! Peace Greg

February, 2000 Diary Entries

Today is Wed. 2-2-00, Groundhog Day for those of you who believe, the sun is up and rising in the east here in Sturtevant,WI, so here the groundhog will see his shadow in the 5 inches of snow that we have.  To catch up from where I left off, last Friday my brother Gary and his wife Julie went with us for a fish fry, which to some is a big deal here in Wisconsin. We went to the Dead End Saloon, Biker Bar, Ma and Pa family dining type of place, great food and relaxing, even with the children. Saturday morning woke up feeling groggy but got my butt moving and seemed to be alright.  We went to the clinic for my Neupogen shot and just kind of tried not to be crabby towards my wife and children --  too many mood swings. We decided on Sunday that after my shot we would take the kids to my parents' house and ALONE my wife and I go to my boss' SUPER BOWL party. It was a nice change of pace for both of us.  We stayed for the first half and went to pick up the children and head for home to do the PROJECT. Aaron, my 8 year old son needed to make a timeline of his life for school.  Imagine how much fun we had going through pictures that have just been accumulated in one big box! Memories were flying faster than a team of Blue Angels.  It was great!  My mission next week will be to organize these memories into chronological order.  This truly is going to be fun -- we're talking 15 years worth of pictures!

2-3-00 :  Well, as of 2-3-00 the time clock has started, on Monday,2-7-00 I go in for a limited sinus, total body ct-scan at 8:30 in the morning YAHOO!, Tuesday, 2-8-00, I go in for another MUGA scan, (heart function scan), OH!BOY!!,Wednesday, 2-9-00, I go in for a Pulmonary function study, OK!OK! Thursday,2-10-00, more bloodwork I'm very glad I have good veins, so are the nurses! Thursday 2-17-00, assessment on Pulmonary function study and gotta have more bloodwork. (Whew!) Friday, 3-3-00, placement of Hickman Catheter, a tube they attach to an artery just below your collarbone using local anesthesia, this will be the main port of entry and exit for all those good things, and which worries me the most! I knew I'd get wimpy somewhere along the line! Come home and hopefully have my last fish fry for a while. Saturday, 3-4-00 admittance to hospital Froedtert in Milwaukee, for the games to begin,Sunday, 3-5-00, my mothers Birthday, wait till she sees what I give her! IT WILL brighten up her day  I hope! Well that's the program for now all subject to change of course but I like change it always did me good! So here I sit it's Friday, 2-4-00, doing laundry, just finished watching Saving Private Ryan, it was O.K. I always see movies when their ancient and wonder how people can pay the price they do to see first run movies, at the price they pay, Oh well as I said earlier "cheap I am". I am now listening to the music of Bjorn Lynne whose music my wife and I will once again try to download, this time minus the HAVOC it caused to the site last time, this will add a FINE touch to the site. Other than a head and chest cold and more meds I'm just Fine thank you!, and off to the laundry, time to switch loads and re-load. Thanks for stopping in, and for you regulars LOVE YOU ALL!! Next update, ya never know!


2-6-00: Well, you never know! is here. Subject matter today is, 1) Health, not good! I think my body is becoming immune to all the medication that I have neen taking since I've had the head and chest cold that came on last week. I've been getting worse! yikes! 2) My wife. I have lovingly given her a new name to go by, www.julie.busy.  O.K. explanation: wonderful wife webmaster.Julie. I'm sure if you are one of the beloved regulars, or repeat visitors, but if you are, you will notice the vast overhaul in the site format. It is 6:30, Sunday evening.  Last time I touched the now much improved site was Friday.  Thus she has been busy! 3) As you come into the site, you, the family, friends and visitors, I have been responding back thanking everyone for taking the time out to do so. 4) We still cannot bring my loved music to the site, it's just a tease you know to keep everyone coming back to see when, why, and how we finally did it, you know, kind of like how they do it on the soap operas, which no, I do not watch. 5) BMT fundraisers.  I really do appreciate the hard work of all who have helped so far, but one person in particular has found a spot in my heart since we arrived here in Sturtevant, in November, 1998. Her name is Mary, we never knew each other until Little League started out here in June of 1999.  She is the mother of one of my son's teammates, on whose team I helped coach.  For the previous 2 years I was my son's Coach and really for his sake and mine, wanted to be able to have someone else instruct my son in sports, you know, Coach's son thing. I was the voluntary tournament director for a 3 day event which I was totally in control of until the opening day of the tournament.  While going thru rounds of CHOP, I was struck with a mild case of pneumonia. Mary, along with 3 other women, Katie who at the time was caring for our children while we were at work, Shawn, very pregnant at the time, and Sue who grilled her butt off, just took the books and ran the whole thing.  They were outstanding and made the tournament a big success.  My thanks to them is never-ending.  We stayed in touch with everyone and when the BMT decision was made, Mary jumped up to the plate and started a BMT Fundraiser thru sales in Tupperware, for whom she is a consultant. I'm asking myself, who is this person?  Do I have an earthly angel or what? To you Mary, our Families will always be willing to answer your call if and when you need us.  I guarantee it. Tomorrow start the tests and hopefully a Greg that feels better because I truly am getting used to this being sick shit all the time and I don't think mentally that's a good sign!!!!! Tomorrow the rest of the news.


2-8-00: Still sick! No better, no worse, this sucks! John my brother-in-law, came down to visit for the weekend, he left today, I thought that was nice that he came to see us. I think he left knowing for sure he will never want to have children, after seeing ours in action these past few days. Monday, 2-7-00, I went for my total body CT-scan. I arrived at 8:30 to drink the contrast that flows thru you for detection on scan, then sat and read a book my neighbor gave me to read about mental and physical wellness known as CHI GUNG, before I knew it they were calling for me at 10:00. The CT-scan: they lay you on your back, insert an IV into your arm, have you stretch your arms over your head so that your legs and arms are fully extended and ask you, are you comfortable? Mr. HOW do you say your last name? The table then makes 1 full pass thru a large doughnut shaped photocopy machine, for 1 full length scan of your body. Now the fun starts.  the nurse slowly injects dye thru the IV into your system and yells to the tech hiding behind the wall O.K. let her rip! You slowly feel a warming flow  o thru your body from the dye and the next voice you hear is that of a computer generated female telling you to hold your breath. AS you hold your breath the scanning doughnut makes 1 complete cycle around your body, when finished, the voice then tells you to release your breath, and the table, hard as a rock, that you are laying on moves forward one-eighth of an inch and once again you are told to hold your breath, and so on and so on, after an hour and a half your body finally makes it's way thru! They peel you off the table, take the IV out and tell you to have a nice day! Today, (2/8/00) I had the MUGGA scan, this shows how well your heart is functioning and if any damage was done by the CHEMO.


2-9-00: Well it's 4:30 a.m. my problem with sleeping is still bothering me, head and chest cold still here, which I have also had since the end of my Rituxin treatment, shoulder soreness, which is flaring up big time. I upped my sleeping meds to 1 at supper and 1 when I go to sleep in an effort to help with the problem.  Hope this works.  Also will have to have cortisone injections in the shoulders to relieve the shoulder pain and allow for better movement in these joint areas. To finish about the MUGGA scan, they inject thru an IV a radioactive contrast which flows thru to the heart where they then photograph 2, ten minute sets of pictures, one on top of your chest and one on the left side of your chest.   Once again lying flat on your back on a rock hard table. Julie has added a photo album to the site.  Please, if you haven't checked it out it, do so.   It will be added to on a regular basis.  Today I go for a Pulmonary Function Test, this will measure my lung capacity. I use to be on my feet daily at work, and would always walk with the children around the subdivision on a daily basis.  I haven't done any of that since the week before Christmas, so this should prove interesting.


2-10-00 : It was another bad night for sleeping, my body and mind just don't want to rest. The walk I took yesterday proved to be rewarding, I walked the whole subdivision in 20 minutes, that's pretty good, and I felt good. I felt I was ready for the Pulmonary Function Test. This test proved to be the most physically demanding. I was required to breathe thru a mouth piece similar to that scuba divers use, with a clip on my nose so that all the air input and output went thru the mouthpiece. There were several tests, which lasted an hour. At some points when you had to expel the air that you had drawn in the tech would push you till you just could not possibly think there was anything left in you and yet there was! Three times I felt as if I were going to pass out! I asked the tech, just for my general knowledge and his experience of monitoring people on a daily basis how I did, his reply made me feel good! He said you hit the highs and you hit the lows, that's good! Well that was yesterday, today I arrived at the clinic early for my bloodwork draw and asked if I could receive a cortisone shot in my left shoulder, seeing as the pain and stiffness was becoming unbearable, they slipped me in first and I received the shot.  Then I asked about the sleeping problem and was given a prescription of Ambien to help with the insomnia. I'm finding it hard to keep my spirits up right now.   I'm just too tired and weak and sore. That's the nice way of saying I feel like shit! Which reminds me, the snow is melting here and there are doggie land mines to be cleaned up! More soon.   Hang in there all you regulars! Love Greg


2-14-00:   Well Happy Valentines Day, to me every day is Valentines Day. Where to start, I see it's been a while since my last entry, insomnia continues, shoulder soreness, still there, head and chest cold ditto! But! Mentally, I'm adjusting and feeling better. This book on CHI GUNG that I am reading is starting to sink in. Inner awareness brings inner strength to help deal with discomforts that are affecting myself and I am learning to become stronger at this and will have to become much stronger for what lies ahead.  Enough said.  I've found the Ativen and Ambien medications to really be of no help for my insomnia and stopped using them 2 days ago, I am using inner self techniques and as of last night found improvement in sleep.  Although it was in 2-1/2 to 3 hour shifts, it was an improvement much welcomed. Saturday we had my family over for what is turning into a bi-weekly gathering of all of us for pictures. These pictures have been added to the photo section, the evening portion of this gathering is turning into a big night for the Chinese restaurant in Sturtevant, as we all order a different dinner delivered and have our own buffet.  This really seems to work well and everyone is happy! I like having everyone over, even though it's due to the upcoming transplant, we are all growing closer together, and it's not just on the weekend. My sister Jody and sister-in-law, Julia are in contact with me on a daily basis, sending crazy e-mails and visiting the now growing site.  Julia also copies the diary and shows my brother Gary.   So, O.K. medically, I saw the Pulmonary expert today for results on the tests I took last week. I found this man to be one of the most interesting of all the physicians I have been associated with.  He actually took time to teach me about how the respiratory system works from the top of your head to the bottom of your lungs, along with just personal questions of how am I dealing with the Road I am on in this stage of my life.  We agreed on the inner self thing, and he said "It's FREE, if practiced and followed, it works."  This was the finest 2 hours I've ever spent with a doctor!  He also left me with his e-mail address so I may report a follow up to him without going to the clinic. The follow up includes, the state  of my sinus and bronchial condition which was apparent after the testing (for which he gave me an inhaler) (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) for you medical buffs! Also a nasal spray (mometasone furoate monohydrate) to be used daily, and I must say, after taking these in his office along with his showing me the proper way, a noticeable improvement was detected.  COOL! Tomorrow I call the hospital and get the lowdown on the dreaded HICKMAN CATHETER placement procedure.  Then Thursday, back to my second home, the clinic for what else, more blood work and an onc consult. Well good night for now, glad to have you along.


2-18-00: My gosh! it's been a slow week on the medical front, I'm surely not complaining though! MUSIC! What Music, my Wonderful, Wife, Webmaster, Julie, has finally found the key to Tuneage. We started out with something from my earlier days, but seeing as not everyone will enjoy such easy listening, we will mix the sounds according to the way I feel.  Sounds O.K. to me. I hope now that the mystery is solved we don't loose those who were only following to see how long it would take for us to figure out the download mystery. I've been to some beautiful web sites these past couple of days learning and sharing with others and have decided to add theirs and others to a "links page" on my site.  This will be added soon. On Tuesday, I started conversation with a wonderful man, my age and going for Transplant in March also. He resides in the state of Washington and so far we seem to be enjoying each others daily communications. To the medical front we go! Yesterday, I went for bloodwork, and all the test results from the previous week, were discussed with the onc. 1.) CT-Scans- some concern about the sinus region, all other areas, neck, chest, stomach, and pelvis area show progressive improvement, no new abnormalities. 2.) MUGGA scan- (heart), Minimal borderline abnormal left ventricular ejection, calculated at 49% this time, compared to initial test date 3/99, at 78% this shows and tells us the damage the CHEMOTHERAPY creates and does to the heart itself. 3.) Pulmonary Function- O.K. I mentioned in my last post, being treated for sinus and bronchial condition. 4.) Bloodwork, a little low on some counts but nothing to be concerned with. Today, I have with me my 2 little angels? We are watching a mini-blizzard outside our windows, Aaron is by his cousins house to do guy things Thank You, Martha. I was going to deliver to my sister her Tupperware Fund Raising order, but the snow is putting a damper on that! I would like to say this Fund Raiser has really taken off for my Earth Angel, Mary, and my wife and I are just overwhelmed with her efforts and the responses she is receiving. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! Sorry about the time in between posts, we have 2 weeks to go and then the post will be on a daily basis as we will be there, the BMT process itself. Love and Prayers to all of you and thank you all so much for stopping by.


2-21-00:  Today, Monday, we went to see the Radiation Oncologist. After two hours of touching and probing, questions and answers, X-rays were taken of my vital organs for fitting of  protective shields for the three day Radiation treatments. The shields will protect my Heart, Lungs, Liver, Spleen, and Kidneys. It was also determined I needed to have a total sinus CT-Scan, and a Stress Mugga Scan.  There is concern with these two areas to the Radiation Oncologist.   O.K. more tests I had nothing better to do anyway. Tomorrow, we see the BMT Unit Psychologist for an hour, then the Transplant Guru, Dr. Vesole, about some clinical trials he would like to go over with us. Wednesday, I'll go for the Full Sinus CT-Scan, and Thursday, the Stress Mugga Scan (Heart). I went for two good walks today, one with my wife to pick up our children from the sitter, and one with my neighbor Dick, total time one hour. I think this will help my body be more at rest when it's time to go to sleep, I'm still having problems with getting sleep at night. I think the real problem is  I miss the stress level that I was so accustomed to from regular daily activities of working and then playing outside with the kids. The fact that I have been feeling better and not doing as much as I  used to is also a factor I think, and mentally I will treat it as such! We had friends over Saturday and Sunday so the weekend went by way too fast, Dan and Tiff came Saturday to see the house and have dinner. (Dan is boss at work, Tiff his wife, who brought us beautiful Pink Roses). Sunday the door opened to long time friends Don and Vicky who had just returned from a vacation in Mexico and my brother Gary, who stops by every weekend. Please take time to visit the links Julie has added. Looks like there will be a daily posting this week so please stop by as they should prove to be interesting. Peace Greg


2-22-00: I need a big Prayer from everybody for my Washington brother Tim Allan. His hopes for Transplant this month are now down to only one of six matches, results will be known by next week, please keep Tim in your prayers for a match, Thank you! The Bloodsuckers were out at the Transplant Department today. The person who drew the 20 vials of blood turned out to be my Oncologist's wife. We talked quite a bit as it took some time. We then met with the Psychologist who asked how are we managing with the road were on and she seemed quite impressed with our Mental Stability. I then had to fill out a 140 question true or false information page concerning my state of WHO, WHAT, and WHERE am I. Next came the Transplant Coordinator and we talked about the 3 trials they were working on and would I like to participate in them. The first one concerned Blood Platelets, regular vs. specially treated Photochemically, the second trial concerned a drug to reduce Kidney and Lung Complications after Transplant, the third trial a new drug to fight off Fungal Infections. We agreed to all three knowing we could stop the trials if the need be. We ,I signed off on all the other good forms and we are now in the books. 3-3-00 Hickman Placement, 3-4-00 Admittance, 3-4 to 3-10, Intensive Chemo and 3 days TBI, Total Body Radiation and 3-10-00 the Transplant itself. Tomorrow the Full Sinus CAT-SCAN.                  PEACE GREG!


2-24-00:  On the medical front:  Full sinus CT-SCAN, They lay you on your stomach and you put your chin on a padded block. They run you thru the doughnut once from the top of your head to the base of your neck. They then take what they call slices, moving one-eighth of an inch at a time of this area. You then turn on your back and repeat the process, the total amount of slices added up to 20 per side.  An easy test, finally. Thursday I went to the hospital for the STRESS MUGGA SCAN, not as simple! I first was taped on my chest and stomach area and hooked up to 17 monitoring wires.  Of course then, "let me inject this RADIOACTIVE dye into your bloodstream," said the smiling young man. I then was laid on my back on a table (with padding on it this time!). They strapped my two feet into pedals just like that on a bike, and the million dollar question was asked again, "are you comfy????"  They took two  2-1/2 minute pictures of my chest and the left side of my chest to start with. The fun was now about to begin.  I was told there would be three sets of pictures taken next, each would last three minutes. During these pictures I was to pedal at a good steady level, keeping the needle on the monitor I was looking at in the middle of the measuring gauge, NOT EASY. They increased the resistance after each 3 minute cycle.  The last cycle felt like I was pedaling up Pike's Peak, But I did it! (BARELY) I was told I was one of the very few to reach and finish this cycle.  I was awarded 2 cups of orange juice. (HOT DAMN!) I was told they could see no blockage and things looked fine. My oncologist's nurse just called and said I will now take myself to the Transplant Oncologist and review the results of both tests Monday of next week.  Hopefully all looks good and we can get on with the Transplant. I love you all.   PEACE!     Greg    P.S. How's the new music? Can anybody Name That Tune!


2-29-00; And now for the Weekend update! Friday night my brother Gary and his wife Julie took us, my wife and I, out for a steak dinner and a good time. Not as crazy as the old days, but we enjoyed it. Thank you so much! I would also like to mention my sister Jody and I went for lunch on Wednesday in her town of Waterford.  It was very nice as well. I would also like to thank my sister Jody and all the good people at Miller Brewing for donating a laptop for my use during my hospital stay. Truly amazing.  They all must be going to the site. Saturday my brother-in-law, my friend, John came down from up-north with his Annie, who is truly a trip, to spend the weekend.  I was going to roast a whole chicken on the grill and while I was preparing the grill for the feast, 3 heads poked out the patio door and asked me "What are you doing?"  Well I said "What's Up?" They then produced 4 LARGE lobster tails, so I said "WOW, O.K. no problem!" I feel like a turkey being stuffed for Thanksgiving.  We had a good time!  Monday night was homemade pizza, it doesn't get much better than that!  On the Medical front there is a concern on my Sinus condition. I'm to see an Ear, Nose, and Throat guy today.  CT-Scan showed Major Blockage in sinus region and thoughts of infection are looming. Personally I've had a sinus condition throughout my years.  Maybe we'll finally see what's up! That's it in a nutshell, I hope when we crack it all is well and the Transplant clock continues on schedule. Once again Thank you Jody and Miller Brewing! Please people:   If you have the time, They have the Beer! Miller Beer! Remember that one?!   Cheers and please visit the Miller site.  We've added their link to the front page.  Peace and Love Greg