Biking on Day Zero PLUS One!

Jeff called me this morning as I was preparing to leave Kim’s apartment to head over to the hospital.  He was complaining about his sore shoulders (I think from spending too much time in bed; the nurse said it is not uncommon) and he asked me to pick up some packaged foods at Wawa.  This was the first time all week that he called me in the morning.  What a joy it was to hear him articulate his complaints and needs.   His shrugs and grunts of the last few days only told me that he didn’t know what he needed.  I am happy to oblige his specific requests – Pop Tarts, for example.

When I arrived at the hospital he was edgy, trying to “exercise” by walking around the room.  He isn’t allowed to leave the room so he was doing the best he could to follow doctor’s orders and get active as soon as possible.  He had already requested a bike but was told PT doesn’t work on the weekends - and this one is a three-day weekend so he would not be able to get a bike until Tuesday.  What?!  They knew he would be ready for a bike and didn’t make arrangements for him to get one?!  Unacceptable!  We politely mentioned this to Dr. Perl, the attending oncologist, who fully appreciated the problem but could make no promises.  We mentioned in to Linda, Jeff’s nurse, who did not seem to have any hope of resolving the issue today.

Nancy and Ken came for a good, long visit.  Jeff and I were both glad for the company.  As Nancy and Ken struggled into their gloves and gowns in the hallway, Jeff began vomiting.  I asked them to wait in the family room, knowing it would pass quickly.  Sure enough, it was over and done in a few minutes’ time.  He was given drugs to help and we enjoyed a pleasant visit with what Nancy noted was “the old Jeff.”

Pastor Oxley came, too.  It was fun to see him don the yellow gown and gloves. 

Pastor Oxley prayed with us but did not commune Jeff.  We will have to figure out a way for Jeff to commune at some point.  It will require opening a new bottle of wine and thinking up a creative solution for the bread.  Pastor Oxley is always good for a few laughs and, as always, we were very glad to see him.

Ken said he noticed a bike in the hallway and suggested finding out whether it was available.  When Nancy and Ken were about to leave the floor, they asked about the bike.  A wonderful nurse, Beth, offered to allo-clean it for Jeff.  Then Ken wheeled it into the room.  Having already removed her gown and gloves, Nancy waited for Ken outside the room.  She looked through the room’s generous window as the guys set-up the bike.  Jeff jumped on and began his antics for Nancy’s benefit, pretending he was riding one-handed and passing her in the street, and then standing/racing.  PT would not approve, I’m sure.  They can do their official assessment on Tuesday and who cares if he didn’t follow proper protocol in the meantime.  That bike was needed today!  He rode for 15 minutes right then and another half an hour in the evening.  What a difference a day makes!   

I rubbed Jeff’s back a lot today to try to help his aching shoulders.  It is not ideal to massage while I am wearing rubber gloves and he is wearing a T-shirt.  We are supposed to limit direct contact.  Not kissing him is very, very difficult.  So I kiss him on his T-shirt in the middle of his back.  I told Jeff that tomorrow I’ll ask the doctor if I can put on a mask and kiss him.  He said, “What fun would that be?” and suggested, “You can kiss my feet.”  He is full of good ideas…

I wish that Mystery Woman could know how well Jeff is doing today.  We know there will be issues which will arise during this process but what a relief it is to be able to refer to his transplant in the past tense!