Day 1

They call this day 1 because it is the first day after Jim's stem cell transplant even though he gets another bag today. They keep track of the days so they can measure how he is doing. Usually the first hundred days are the most crucial.

Today is Friday and I was going to come a little later since I am spending the night. I thought since I spend all day here and then go home a little fried at night that I would do a little house maintenance this morning. It is also my Dad's b-day and I wanted to stop in and tell him Happy B-day. I was hoping he and Jim could share a b-day. I guess they technically could since he gets another stem cell bag today. Any way, HAPPY B-DAY Daddy. I LOVE YOU!

I called Jim at 8:30 this morning and he didn't sound so good. He said that he woke with an excruciating headache and his stomach hurt. So needless to say, I got in the car and came right away. I know there is really not much I can do but I get a little panicky when I know he is having a hard time and I am not there. I wish he was closer, but LDS Hospital is the only bone marrow transplant unit in Utah. I guess it could be worse, he could be in another state.

So, today may not have any funny moments or alot of laughter, but if there is any we will be sure to find it. In this situation, you have to look for those moments because if you don't you can really get bogged down. I don't think he thinks I am as funny today though as he did yesterday.

So today I think we have hit a low. Not that more lows won't come but today his blood counts are down more and he feels pretty bad. He said that it hurts and takes too much energy to even turn over in bed. They (hosp. staff) are not really sure why the headaches but could be any number of things. They are not really concerned, they just treat the symptoms as they happen. It is pretty normal to feel lousy at this point. They have given him some pretty good pain meds so he has been out of it most of the day. It kills me to see him suffer but I guess though if you look at a silver lining we have to reach the lows before we can go up. So, hopefully the lows won't get much lower or last too long. We are looking forward to the ups.

Today I AM THANKFUL FOR dear friends who are feeding my family, picking up my kids when they are stranded at play practice or violin, picking up my daughter and giving her a "mommy hug" when she needs it, taking my kids for the night, sending us thoughtful notes, gifts, treats, and texts and praying for us. We love you and feel your love. We gain great strength from that.

I feel like I should leave you with a joke, but all I know is dumb blond jokes so I will spare you.

Day 0 - Brother in a Bag

The above video is Jim with Adj. General Tarbet who is the General for The Utah National Guard. He was a great sport. His visit meant alot to Jim. He didn't realize he was coming on "stem cell b-day" when he decided to visit. He probably would have chosen a different day if he knew he was going to have to be a movie star.

This morning Evan came and harvested another bag of stem cells for Jim. Unfortunately, he gets to come back tomorrow and give another bag.

HAPPY B-DAY JIM. At 4:30PM Jim got his first "BROTHER IN A BAG." He will get 2 bags of stem cells today and then another one tomorrow. Jim is pretty tired today. I am sure it is the cummlative effects of all of the radiation and chemo. His blood counts are dropping, which is just exactly what they are supposed to do.

My brother John gave Jim two web cams today and installed them so that the kids and Jim can talk to each other. Yea! What a nice b-day present.

Today I AM THANKFUL for smart people who have come up with these medical miracles.

Party Time:



It's My Party and I'll Sleep If I Want To:

Day -1 (Day of Rest) So they say

YEA! YOU GO EVAN! My teenagers would say "You Rock, Your Bad A, Your Sick, Your Dope, Your Epic, Your an animal. Those are all good things by the way.

Jim is doing well today. Today is his Day of Rest. That just means no toxins are being put in his body. He feels pretty good today. He even walked down the hall and visited Evan while he was harvesting his stem cells. Now Jim is pretty tired.

Evan finished harvesting about 2:30. He looked pretty tired also. Evan has been a real trooper through this thing. I told him thanks for sharing his stem cells and he said "I didn't realize I had a choice." I told him that you always have a choice. We were even told that there have been times when siblings have refused. Needless to say, not very nice siblings, but it has happened. So, THANK YOU EVAN!

After Evan left there was some excitement on the unit. The fire alarm came on and was not going off. I could hear alot of commotion so I looked out into the hallway. Apparently the fire sprinkling system went on in one room. In five minutes time it flooded several rooms and broke through a wall and flooded more. They were carrying patients out of their rooms. Jim is at the end of the hall, so we are lucky. That would ruin everything in the room. We are sooooo lucky.

Tomorrow is Day zero. Jim's new birthday. Sometime tomorrow he gets the cells that Evan is giving him. I told Evan to send his stem cells happy thoughts so they are nice to Jim. I wonder when he will start to look and act like Evan?

Today I AM THANKFUL for brothers that share their stems cells and that Jim's room is in the last pod at the end of the hall.

Day # -2 - Chemo Day 2

Yesterday was a pretty good day. Jim started his Chemo. Today is the last one. Yea! The affects of Chemo usually do not come right away like Radiation. So, I am expecting that in a few days his blood counts will drop more and he probably won't feel so good. But, today is pretty good. We have been laying in his bed doing a cross-word puzzle. Evan will start harvesting his Stem Cells tomorrow. He will have to come in early tomorrow morning to get an IV line placed. I am not sure what kind. So, he will be hooked up to a machine alot of the day. The machine separates the stem cells from his regular blood cells. Jim told Evan he will be in to see him tomorrow.

The primary kids from our church each made a card for Jim. It was really fun bringing him the box of cards today. We put them up on one of his walls. Here are some Words of Wisdom from the mouth of Babes.

"It helps to get a hobby when you are sick."

"I am sorry you are in the Hospital. My Grandpa went there and he died. Hope that doesn't happen to you."

"Bro Sproul pray to get better. We all do. You just have to have faith."

"Here are some of my hobbies you can do like "relacks", "wotch" tv or play a game.

"Brother Sproul you probably should think of fun things to do to be better like racing, playing with your kids, playing football, soccer and doing fun things at the Circus."

"Heavenly Father is watching over you. Jesus will protect you.

Today I THANKFUL FOR the innocence, faith and love of PRIMARY CHILDREN.

Day # -3 Chemo #1

I THINK JIM'S A LITTLE BORED!



Yesterday was a pretty decent day for Jim. He felt a little icky in the morning. Evan did come for a shot this morning and stopped in to see Jim. Jim was really glad to see him.

Sarah and I arrived at the hospital to spend the rest of the day with Jim. He did really well with his last radiation treatment. I don't think that he will miss going there today. By the way, that was a Radiation therapist, not respiratory therapist in the video. He came to take Jim down for Radiation. I make {suggest strongly} Jim walk to the elevator before getting in the wheelchair. That way, we can count that as one of his walks for the day. We thought it would be funny for Jim to push him in the wheelchair. I don't know if he thinks we are as funny as we think we are. I guess as long as we are laughing, that's what matters.

We even played "Catch Phrase" music addition. I wish I had a video of that because Jim had Sarah and I rolling with laughter when he was trying to sing his "Classic Rock" songs. It was fun to laugh and see him laugh. Allen and Brittany {Jim's nephew and his wife} came for a visit and played with us for a while.

Today, is Chemo day. A much higher dose than he typically gets, so I hope he will tolerate it. I know that through the 5-6 weeks here in the hospital, that there will be good days and probably a lot of bad days. As long as there are some good days or good moments, we can tolerate the bad.

Today, I AM THANKFUL FOR Laughter.

Day #-4 - final radiation

Date night was great. Jim and I lounged in his hospital bed where I sipped diet coke and Jim BOOST. There was a lovely romantic dim lit glow in the room from the computer monitors, Vital sign machines and IV pumps. We watched the Time Travelers Wife. Jim even stayed awake the whole time. Poor Jim, he gets to watch my selection of movies while he is in the hospital since I am picking them out. That means every Friday night is Chick Flick Movie Night - YEA!

Yesterday was a really good day for Jim. His Radiation went without a hitch this time and there was no retching or spewing. He actually felt pretty good after. His sister came and we had a nice visit. Yesterday he probably had the most good hours in a day (maybe 3-4 hrs).

Today, Sarah and I are heading to the hospital. Nate has sniffles, sore throat and a runny nose so he gets to stay home. Bummer, but we are taking no chances. I was going to go to church first but I felt anxiety about not being with Jim. I want to be there for his final Radiation. Now, that is a mile stone to say that you have completed 6 days of Radiation. Jim's brother Evan is now in town. I believe he got his first shot today to stimulate his marrow to make stem cells. I tried to talk to Jim this morning but he does not answer his phone when he is resting. I just talked to Brendan and he said that Evan visited Jim and now he is sleeping.

Tomorrow, we start high dose Chemo. Only 2 days though.

Today, I AM THANKFUL FOR the last day of Radiation!