Happy Birthday to Jeff!

What a day to start Cycle 4 of Vidaza/Venclexta!  Dr. Porter says Jeff’s birthday is a good day to start what we hope is the last treatment cycle because it seems to be working.  He thinks Jeff should be ready for Nicole’s T cells by early to mid-February!  And he observes, “You’re getting old and that’s a good thing.”

Jeff’s birthday gifts included dinner prepared by Son Kerry and DIL Theresa and delivered to our door, handmade cards from our granddaughters, a sweater vest from Daughter Kim, a silly video from Donor Nicole and texts and messages from family and friends including an early greeting (early to us in EST) from Friend Steve in New Zealand.

Birthday “treats” continued at Penn’s infusion center.  We left the house at 6:50 a.m. for what Jeff believed would be a short visit, just the Vidaza infusion.  Alas, his hemoglobin was 7.2 and he needed a blood transfusion. 

Jeff texted me in the parking garage, “How many people can say they got blood for their birthday?”

It takes such a long time to type and crossmatch his blood and check the donor blood for antibodies.  He waited three hours for the blood product during which time he was offered – and accepted – a MASSAGE!  What a treat!  They infused only one of the two units required (the other will be given following his treatment tomorrow).  His short visit turned into a whole-day affair. 

I kept myself busy for the duration.  I worked for three hours until my laptop lost power, picked up Jeff’s prescription at Penn’s specialty pharmacy, went for a long walk, got lunch, listened to an audio book and took a catnap. Finally, Jeff returned to the car at 4:30!  We got home at 5:30 p.m.  Somehow, the day was more tiring for me than for him. 

The compulsion to be creative and productive is strong in Jeff.  While hospitalized in October, he designed a floor lamp. Since then, little-by-little, he spent time in his shop turning parts of the lamp on the lathe, shaping other parts, assembling all with a giant screw from a bookbinding press we’d acquired at an auction many years ago.  The result is a great piece.

Some of the care Jeff requires is reminiscent of a baby’s needs:  soft foods, naps, baby powder, soothing.  My baby puts himself down for a nap and remains there reliably for hours, expresses gratitude for soft foods prepared and appreciates cooing and backrubs.  Although this journey is not a picnic we consider ourselves lucky to have each other.