Day Zero Minus Four

Today is what is known as “day zero minus four” in the transplant biz.  It was a tense day of waiting.  Jeff hadn’t slept well all night and woke at 5:30 a.m. Then he waited and waited.  It seemed like a long time to him.   He had decided not to shower - even though he was not yet tethered to an IV pole - because he thought he would be taken early in the day to have his PIC line and Hickman catheter placed.  When I arrived at 9 a.m., he was being prepped for transport.  Two and half hours later he was back in the room, reporting that he must have been transported two blocks away for the procedure.  With the exception of the administration of meds to help treat potential side effects, nothing happened all day.  I left at 5 p.m. feeling a little let down.  Nothing was happening yet! 

I spoke to Jeff around 7:30 p.m. and still no chemo.  IV fluids had been started.  I blubbered a little while reading email messages to him; the messages are all so heartfelt.