The Longest 100 Days

Kerry, Judy, Jeff and I attended the mandatory pre-transplant patient care class on Thursday.  In addition to fixing Jeff’s admission date (May 8^th), we learned a lot about minimizing exposure to bacteria in the first 100 days post-transplant.  Here’s a fraction of what each of us learned:

Amy - Jeff has to rebuild his immune system post-transplant.  He will need to get all his childhood vaccinations again.  We need to train Giblet not to sleep in our bed.

Kerry – was glad to hear his dad can eat home-cooked meals as long as they are thoroughly cooked and then eaten or frozen immediately.

Judy – was horrified at the care that must be taken in feeding Jeff post-transplant.  All the Dos and Don’ts are overwhelming. 

Jeff learned a lot:
1.  “They must be wrong about the no-grilling rule.”
2.  He learned that he is not allowed to clean or do dishes post-transplant.  He says, “I always thought doing housework could kill you.”  (Amy notes that he is, however, allowed to empty the dishwasher of clean dishes.)
3.  He is disappointed he won’t be able to swim this summer.  He’ll have to stay out of the sun and he’ll have PIC lines that will need to be kept clean.
4.  He will definitely have to wear a mask at the wedding.  We will draw a mustache on one.  He wants an assortment.  For example one will have a smile, one will have a surprised O… 
5.  100 days is a long time to go without a restaurant meal.
6.  It takes three hours to clean the hospital room on transplant day (Friday, May 13^th, his new birthday).
7.  We have to pack his clothes in zip-lock bags so they can be wiped down.  It will be like packing for camp!

Before we left Penn, Jeff saw an ophthalmologist about his vision issues.   The diagnosis was ocular migraines with no headache brought on by stress.  No treatment required.  Woohoo!

We had a tour of the transplant floor.  There are 29 beds.  Many have great city views although a few look out to a brick wall.  There are wood-look floors and some wood paneling so Jeff might not suffer the same sensory deprivation that he did at Aria. 

It was a looong day.  We got home at 5:30 p.m. and found our Dinner Club friends in the driveway delivering dinner!  God Bless George and Charlotte!

Today Jeff was back at Penn for a biopsy of his skin rash.  The dermatologist felt it was some sort of eczema and was not cancer-related.  He still needs to see the oncology radiologist next week.  

Prayers, please, for Jeff's 35-year-old mystery woman, his donor.  Also, pray that Jeff continues to gain strength with these extra couple of weeks prior to his May 8th admission.