They’re back!! I successfully received my harvested stem cells this morning. It was quite a process involving thawing the frozen cells in a warm water bath – pampering the little fellas; hanging the bag of thawed cells to drip through the IV tubing – “line up you guys”, “let’s go, let’s go”; then into the catheter in my chest and on to their ultimate destination – my bone marrow.
Now we wait to see if this crowd of stem cells can negotiate their way back to my bone marrow. Being stem cells of the male persuasion I hope they ask for directions if they are having trouble finding the destination.
If you were visiting me today, you may wonder from the smell,”Who’s cooking up creamed corn in the hospital?” Yep, creamed corn. That is the odor of the preservative used with the frozen stem cells. It is released from my skin and on my breath.
That's the medical explanation. Or maybe, those stem cell characters like packing creamed corn on these trips. I know I loved to take creamed corn in my camping knapsack when I ventured into the woods with the Boy Scouts. Nothing like creamed corn over an open fire!
I am feeling good -- strong and rested following my two hour nap and a warm shower.
Julie and I tour the hospital hallways each evening when the chance of encountering germ ridden folks is minimized. It is actually quite pleasant to walk the hallways with the evening lighting and the stillness that settles into a busy place at the beginning of the night. It's a reflective time of the day and time just for the two of us.
Julie and I are so grateful for all the warm wishes, prayers and encouragement we have received from everyone. Thank you.
Julie tells me it’s time to go for a walk. Good night for now.
Grace and peace,
Tim.
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Hey, Tim –
ReplyDeletePlease let your stem cells know that I would LOVE to share my Garmin GPS system with them... I prefer to call her Judy... Garmin... afterall, there's no place like home!
Hopefully you're enjoying a few chocolate milk shakes for me at the Storz Pavilion. They also have amazing Philly Cheese Steak Hoagies!!!
And yes, the walks down the corridors at the Med Center are quite therapeutic.
Ann and I wish we could be there to give you BIG HUGS!
Take care… and peace out!
D & A
I can't believe you are feeling well enough to write such a "tim" description of the event and up and about touring the hospital. I am also amazed you heated the creamed corn - I used to eat it cold out of the can. You really can't take the country out of someone from western Nebraska - no matter how hard you try. Give Julie a hug from me and keep moving forward, always forward.
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