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.