More No News

It is Monday morning, and sunny here in SF. It really makes a difference to my mood. My blood is low, but not yet at its nadir. If things go well, my new cells will engraft, and by the weekend my counts will start to come up, and hopefully I can go home on Tuesday. Once home, I go to the clinic twice a week (an all day affair) for three months. I keep this central line in for the three months, which looks like spaghetti coming out of my chest. I am still at risk for infection, and Graft vs. Host Disease(GVDH).

My spirits remain good most of the time. The days are long, but finally one turns into the next. I walk the halls with a mask on, and occasionally have a good talk with a fellow patient. Nancy says the garden is looking spectacular, and I am eager to see it.

With gratitude,
Anne

HANGING IN THERE

No news is good news at this point. I feel a little crummier but nothing major. My blood counts are lower, but not yet at their nadir. With luck (prayer?)that low period will be very short and the stem cells will engraft and voila I will be out of here. So be it! Meanwhile I am having very good realizations about my mind and walking in and out various states (fear, aversion,victim feelings, etc.). A woman down the hall is dying of Graft vs. Host Disease, and that has been something for me to enlarge my heart around. I believe I have. Lots of suffering here, and lots of amazing transformation.

Love,
Anne

looking through the eyes of love

I can't say that I have ever seen Anne look more beautiful then she has these past few days. It is that kind of radiant beauty that emerges when you are faced with an overwhelming obstacle and discover inner strength and courage you had no idea was there. It has been an amazing experience to be there as she textures every subtle change in her body or responds to the, all to often irritating, organized chaos of the hospital environment. Through it all she has remained focused, positive and surprisingly joyous. In fact just before they were about to infuse the stem cells the nurse told Anne to report any chest pain or shortness of breath should it occur. Anne then confessed that she was thinking about faking a heart attack just for fun. We all laughed and the nurse said "Don't you dare". Each day has been an incredible learning experience in patience and gratitude. I have had the privilege of being with Anne at some of her most vulnerable moments. Sometimes it was soft and beckoning and sometimes it was hard and repelling but it always held that inner core of beauty that makes her who she is. I consider myself very fortunate to be able to be part of Anne's healing journey and to be able to participate with all of you who have given the kind of support, thoughts and prayers that make miracles possible. Thank You

much love to all

Dennis

Still Alive and Well

After a day of waiting, I finally got my cells around 5PM. Nancy and Dennis had given me a long foot massage while I listened to my "stem cell transplant" visualization CD before. We then played a great chanting CD. My nurse took my vitals constantly during it, so it cramped the spiritual style a bit. When I tuned in, the new cells felt very positive to me, an infusion of life. I think I had been more anxious than I knew, for afterwards I fell into a cranky overtired overhungry state. Once over that, Dennis and I watched a great sunset from the solarium. (We can see west to the ocean, north to the Marin Headlands and the Golden Gate Bridge and east to downtown San Francisco from the solarium - we are on the top of a hill here.)
For all that I have been saying I could sail through this, lots of fears lurked in my mind. Now I can think that it really is possible for me to get through this quickly and easily. I could be out of here in 10 days.
Please keep up your prayers.

Love and blessings,
Anne

Day Zero

Today's the day of the transplant, referred to here as Day 0, or my birthday. I am less anxious than I have been - the anticipation always is the hardest thing. I feel somewhat crummy - worsened sinuses and some nausea. The hospital has been outrageously noisy - construction and floor stripping and waxing. What an endurance test. I found out 2 1/2 weeks post transplant is the fastest I can get out, so I am hoping for that.
I will get an immune suppressant drug on days 1,3,6,11 that usually gives mouth sores, and the other immune suppressant I will be on for the next 6 months. From today on I am very vulnerable to infection, but I will be less so once the cells engraft and my white count comes back up.
Your prayers and well-wishes continue to buoy me up. I am seeing you all in my heart, looking forward to the day I can see you in person. A few good parties and trips could lie in my future.

Love,
Anne

Waiting

It is Saturday morning, and I am more than halfway through the chemo. I still feel pretty good, though I can note some fatigue and spaciness. I may have the beginnings of mucositis, or a sinus infection, since they took me off the antibiotics I have been on for months when I came in. Hard to surrender to the doctors' control at this vulnerable time. I have fear cropping up, as I feel I am at the edge of cliff I am about to be pushed off. I try to just stay in the present. What a challenge! To allow this descent -and the possibility of "smooth sailing". It does seem that only divine protection will get me through this period of zero immunity.

The stem cell transplant will be Wednesday. They call that day 0, so the days leading up to it are minus numbers, a countdown.

They have wireless in the hospital now, so I can read your comments or emails.(annebocc@sonic.net). I did get a quiet room, but from my bed can only see another wing of the hospital. I can see a bit of the city from the window. I can visit the solarium which has a glorious view.

Love and thanks,
Anne

Lucy's Graduation

A wonderful night of celebration which was timed well so Anne could be there.