After Victoria

I was transferred to Vancouver general hospital where, after a few days and one blood transfusion, I underwent another bone marrow biopsy.

This time I was given a platelet transfusion at the same time along with a little morphine and just a sprinkling of ativan.  I was still gripping the bloodstone Laura gave me pretty tight, 'cause when you feel the suction of the marrow going out of you there's no freezing or morphine that numbs the pain.  Thanks Joanne for holding my hand.

Sept. 05:

I found out today that of the four brothers and sisters that have had blood tests none of them matched for a transplant.  My brother Al is in Hawaii and still has to have his blood work done.

It's the leukemia lottery.

If Al doesn't match then there's a vast registry of potential doners who may match.

Dr Shepperd told us that the leukemia in my marrow remained stable so Joanne and I will be heading back to Salt Spring Island on Monday.  I'll have my blood tested three times a week and wait for word from Vancouver as to what the next step will be.  If I spike a fever or start bleeding for any reason then I'll be back at Vancouver General. If I need another blood transfusion then I will likely have that done in Victoria.

The waiting is a little unnerving, but I'm just going to look at each day straight on and make the most of things.  Tell my kids how much I love them and appreciate every moment.

I told my brother Charlie today that it's sort of like driving along a long stretch of highway, looking at the dashboard and noticing that you're way past empty on gas.  You really start to appreciate every telephone pole or fence post you get past before you have to push the damn truck to the gas station.

I just don't know where the next gas station is.

Thanks to everyone for their support today