Express Train to Stem Cell Transplant

Thursday (January 30) - Andy and I went to our standard Infusion appointment at Menomonee Falls and met with our Oncologist, Dr. Al.  

The appointment went well. But what we haven't talked about is Dr. Al also said - the recovery is "SO remarkable", we are ready to proceed to Stem Cell Transplant (SCT).  

While this is great news...We couldn't help think, Wait.  We leave for Spring Break on Friday, March 21.  We can't have a SCT.  Dr. Al told us to talk to Dr. A on Wednesday, when we already had our SCT consult scheduled.  

Friday afternoon every single appointment was scheduled for our SCT.  And friends...it takes A LOT of appointments to go through a SCT.  Over the weekend we received a 1.5 inch binder filled with every.single.detail. about a SCT.  Sure looked like this train left the station.  

So Andy and I started wrapping our heads around the surgery, which was happening a month earlier than expected, and was cancelling our spring break vacation.  We wrapped our heads around how to tell our kids.  And how to tell our travel mates.  

Wednesday couldn't come fast enough.  

We got to the appointment on Wednesday and Dr. A talked to us about potentially moving the surgery so we could go on Spring Break.  We weren't expecting that.  We weren't expecting the decision to be pushed back to us.  Have we mentioned how much we love our medical team? 

Dr. A talked to us, gave us time to talk, gave us possibilities.  It was amazing. 

Ultimately, we decided, full steam ahead with surgery.  Andy - and I - have already been wrapping our heads around starting the process.  And starting now, means starting recovery one month earlier.  Means more summer time in remission and less in recovery.  It means more energy.

So Wednesday we told the kids - no more Florida for Spring Break.  Instead....dad is going to be isolated in his bedroom and we are going to wear masks in the house.  They. Were. Amazing.  Seriously.  Our kids give us a lot of grief (as kids do), but I'm so incredibly proud of them.  

Then Thursday we called our friends that we were supposed to be traveling to Florida with.  Of course their response was, well that sucks, but tell us more about the surgery.  

And now...now we get to spend the next several days telling you all about exactly what this process entails.  As we continue to learn about it.  

So buckle up...because this train moves FAST!  🚅