Count Down

We are counting down the days to transplant. Drew continues to be challenged with the disease but always finds a way to smile. His day started today with IV fluids, blood drawn, a transfusion of packed red cells, various anti-nausea drugs, a painful bone marrow biopsy, and radiation. He has the shape of the radiation beam’s targets drawn on his chest, with big green Xs for alignment. Today took longer because one green X required a 1mm adjustment – amazing precision while inside a machine the size of an SUV.

One thing we have learned is steroids seems to make living with this stuff easier - so steroids are served with his IV drip as a mid-morning snack. I wonder if he could hit home runs like Barry Bonds….he sure showed he has the distance with dinner tonight (sorry, when you are in this cancer thing for a while, you start to like nausea jokes…).

Apartment living is as we remember - easy to clean, easy to clutter, easy to get from one end to another, and not a whole lot of private space. But we are in a great area, very close to Duke Hospital, and have many of the comforts of home. Our address for the next 100 days or so is: The Llewellyn's, Evergreens @ Mt. Moriah, 5509 Sunlight Drive Apt.106, Durham, NC 27707.

The next four weeks are going to be very hard on Drew. Many have asked about travelling to Duke. We will let everyone know when we are ready for visitors. The transplant process requires isolation and allows for very few visitors while his immunity is low. Our immediate support team will be taking turns staying with Drew, and our off-hours will require rest. Even though the transplant will occur on May 9th, it can take as long as 30 days for his new immune system to take hold.

We appreciate your kind offers to stay in the waiting rooms and run errands or come by the apartment - don't worry - as soon as TEAM LLEWELLYN is up to company - we will let you know. Your continued support through your cards and emails mean so much to all of us. We can feel the strength of our family and friends.