[madubois63]

So I guess it’s time to update you all on what’s been going on…Just a re-cap first….I flew up to Buffalo on October 16th. I spent that week at the Hope Lodge and getting checked from head to toe. I even had 3 teeth pulled - ugh. They said decay UNDER my fillings MAY cause infection after the transplant when my immune system is compromised. The many years of chemo caused the decay. This was all a surprise to me, but what was I going to say - no??? My sister, Dydee came up to Buffalo just in time to pick me up from the dentist. We went out to dinner and I munched lobster risotto on the left side. I even splurged on a glass of wine. The next morning, we had meeting with the doctor’s and support staff which brought things back in to perspective of why we were there…but then we headed over the boarder and saw the Falls - beautiful!!! We had a great time! The next morning, I went to the hospital to have my Hickman catheter replaced. The operating room was freezing. I was freezing and my teeth were chattering. After the surgery, they brought me up to a room and I had 102 fever. They decided I had an infection in my port-a-cath on the other side (I still think it was stress). They took me back down to surgery and pulled my port. The fever was gone within 2 hours, but the transplant was postponed a week. My sister went home, and I remained in the hospital until Monday. I packed my stuff up and went back to the Hope Lodge. I got a bigger better room this time around. Private bath. The doc requested it so I could remain healthy and not catch anything during my few days of freedom in Buffalo. Danny turned 17 this week, but I did not go home. I physically and financially could not swing it. I read a lot, walked a lot and visited Gilda’s Club (Gilda Radner from Saturday Night Live). This is another big old incredible mansion. There is a library of books to borrow and things to take. They have support, cooking , art and yoga classes. They even have “Noogieland” for the kids. You have to have been a fan of SNL to know the significance of a noogie. I read Gilda’s book this week. She really went through a lot. Anyway, Friday night, I got to meet Ursula (from another on-line support group) and her sister Judy! We had a great time! We took some pictures, and I think there is a ghost in the window of the Hope Lodge (just in time for Halloween). We had a lot of laughs!! Bright and early Saturday morning, I was admitted AGAIN. I didn’t get the big room, but I am waiting for someone in one of the big rooms to get healthy and leave. My new friend Elizabeth has a big room. She had her transplant 9 days ago and looks GREAT. We walk together around the nurses station (33 times is a mile). She had her tiara on yesterday - LOL. A man on the other side of the hall has named his IV pole Bert, Elizabeth’s pole is Cecilia and mine is now May (get it?). I hung a paper chain someone sent me on the pole. I take off a ring for every day I’m here. The smaller the chain gets, the closer I am to getting home. I missed the wheelchair race this morning. Someone forgot to call me. So now day 3 is nearly behind me. The transplant is scheduled for November 3rd (my new birthday). I am B+ blood type and I'll become an A+ because that is what my donor is (weird). If she has allegies, I will also have them (even stranger). My mom and sister will be here on the 2nd. I am doing my best to behave and not loose my grip on my sanity (the little I have) so early in the game…I guess that’s all for now. Thanks for all the love and prayers!!! You are all in my prayers….