Shortly after my harvested stem cells, that had been frozen following their harvest several weeks ago, were infused back into my body, I started smelling like tomato basil soup. Kathy has the essential oil diffuser going full steam and is feeding me breath mints. Funny thing is, I cannot smell it. Smelling oddly is a by-product of the process and should last only three days. 

Kathy and I stayed at the Medical Center Marriott Sunday night which has a sky bridge right into Methodist Hospital lobby. Methodist Transplant Center is where my transplant is taking place. Early Monday, we were admitted, but labs delayed getting a permanent room until noon. Then the fun began with being wheeled down to surgery to remove my previous internal port used for my immunomonoclonal targeted therapy over the past seven months and adding a new larger external port. This process was a piece of cake. Amazingly pain free. Back up to our room on the 15th floor, I was hooked up to many monitors and another lab and then the pre-transplant bags of various medicines started flowing through the new port into my body. I also received nausea pills. At 8:30 pm I started eating ice and popsicles to cool down my throat and mouth to help keep painful sores from forming. I also received two mouthwashes to gargle throughout the day. So far, so good. Then came the potent chemo infusion of Malphalan, which is intended to kill all the bad stuff—like cancer!—in my body. Yes, lots of blood tests and monitoring of my body. I did not have any reactions, God be praised! 

We have a nice room with huge windows looking over the Houston Medical Center. When doctors and nurses and other staff come into the room they are impressed and say our room is so homey. One nurse even told us she thinks she has walked into a sanctuary every time she enters our room. That is because Kathy has made it so with wonderful items from home to cheer it up. We also brought an Alexa to play music in the room. We went out shopping before we left home for the transplant process and purchased some needed items. I needed many changes of comfortable clothing. We purchased eleven plain cotton t-shirts so that Kathy could cut a slit in the area of the port allowing the tubes to easily hang out and not be discombobulated under clothing. The nurses love this. We also purchased new bedding for Kathy’s bed in my room and she has a cozy bed area. I understand why the hospital requests a caregiver in the room. Kathy is busy helping me, relieving the staff of many tasks. I cannot express how blessed I am with a wife who is so awesome!  

Tuesday was a rest day. It went by quickly. Methodist food is decent. I walk as much as possible, but when I am heavily monitored with machines, getting free is difficult. 

Today was transplant day. Six bags of my earlier harvested stem cells were quickly infused. The stem cells had been harvested at the best possible time when my numbers were excellent after having received six months of therapy treatments. Following the infusion, I was able to be taken off several machines which allows me much more freedom of movement. We have been playing praise music in the room which is uplifting and comforting. The next ten days are challenging with the possibility of side effects of the transplant popping up. “There’s nothing better than you (God)” is playing now reminding me that God is in control. Trust in God’s mercy and kindness is my calling now. That brings peace to my heart and soul. Nothing is better than being lifted up by the Everlasting Arms of my Lord. 

To one and all—thank you for your encouragement and prayers. You are a blessing in my life! Also, may you be blessed on your Thanksgiving celebrations. A thankful heart is a strong core to being at peace in difficult times as well as good times.

 “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. First Thessalonians 5:18”

Praise Report—Kathy praying over each infusion bag of my stem cells as they were being pumped into my body.

Prayer Request—Strength for the days to follow and limited side effects.