Happy Friday everyone. Once again, I am extremely happy to be typing this message from the comfort of my couch. Every minute I am out of the hospital gets better and better. It is a huge cliché, but it is certainly true. You really have to appreciate the small things in life if you are going to enjoy it. A breath of fresh air, the sunset, a walk around the block, the sunshine, quality time with friends and family…I could go on and on. In a weird way I feel lucky to be going through this because it has made me appreciate so much more.
So with that said, I received some bad news on Tuesday when I went down to the hospital for some blood tests and a visit with my doctor. Apparently, my donor’s doctor sent a message to my doctor saying they are having “medical complications” with the donor and they have to push the transplant out by 4-5 weeks. This is something they have never seen before so it obviously threw us all for a loop. As a result, we made the decision to pass on the original donor and go with one of the other two. If you remember, we had the search narrowed down to three donors who were all equally good, so the good news is I’m not giving up any quality. The bad news is everything now gets pushed out 4-5 weeks. So instead of me going in next Friday and prepping for my transplant the following week, I now have to go in next Friday for a round of consolidation chemotherapy, recover for three weeks, then hopefully be ready to go with another donor at the end of recovery. And that is a best case scenario dependant on whether or not they can fast track the new donor through the pre-transplant process.
Frustrating would be an understatement, but I just have to get used to the fact that issues like this that are going to pop up along the way, and I am going to have to deal with them accordingly. It’s certainly not the end of the world, but a month is a month. I still have to look at the bright side which is the fact that I have three high quality matches to begin with. There are a lot of people in my situation who wait many months to get any match. Luckily for me I have multiple options.
Outside of that, I feel great and my counts continue to climb. My white blood cell count is up to 5,700, red blood cell count is 3,500 and platelets are at a whopping 514,000. These are the big three indicators to look at, and all three look great. That’s about it everyone. I plan on enjoying my last week of freedom then getting ready for the hospital once again. Thanks for reading and take care.
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20 comments:
Kurt, enjoy your week! You can watch the Jets trounce the Pat's on Sunday if that helps you feel better. Hope to catch up with you soon.
Take care,
Kirk
Hola amigo:
I am glad to hear your counts are doing so well. Sorry that you have to wait four additional weeks for your transplant. Just think positive and this will be over soon. Carly misses Floyd, but I know that he is very happy with you. Take care and continue enjoying your time at home. Hope to see you soon. Love, Sonia
Hello from London! Although there's a little bump in the road ahead, there's still wind on your face....being able to get outside during your time home and getting stronger to tackle your next hurdle. You have quite a group behind you routing you on. I'd like to route on your new donor and that everything gets expedited on their end. (P.S. Good choice to move to the next donor.)
We are all excited about the walk next week and will be thinking of you as we stroll around the Big A.
Take care and continue to make progress.
Awesome man.. sorry I missed you on Friday - I was caught in a meeting and didn't know you were at IM, otherwise I'd have blown it off to say hi to you.
Keep on keepin on.
Tom B.
Hi Kurt!
I need Romo get me 21 points today! 11 to win the week and a total of 21 to win a $20 bet. I know he can do it. Hope you have a good day buddy.
Steve
Hi Kurt,
It was nice to see you during your surprise visit last week. I'm sorry to hear about the set back about the donor situation. But you're right. At least you have an alternate plan to move forward with. Hope you enjoy your week :)
Take care,
Holly K.
Hi Kurt.
Just checking in and saying hello.
Your outlook and attitude is the way to go, keep it up.
Going to take a break from the computer for some fresh air and sunshine.
Take care man,
Gary B
Such great news overall Kurt! Sorry to hear about the transplant delay but congratulations on all of the positive things happening. Enjoy your time and home, take care and stay positive!
Kerry
hey Kurt long time no heard haha
I don't have time to read all you've wrotebut I'll get to it as soon as possible
I haven't got the time to write to you couse of school. I already have 3 A's in the 2 weeks I have been here.
I miss you vrey much,... a lot of greeding to Evey and everyone else.
that bottle of medenica is still waiting for you..good luck with the transplant
Love you all very much
Kety
Mr. Kurt,
It's Nikki Vaughn popping in to see how you are doin... One quick google search of your name and *WHAMO* - I found you! :) Wanted you to know I think about you often and pray for you constantly. I'm digging your positiveness and know that you of all people will prevail. Stay strong bud. Miss you for sure!
xo
Nikki
Hi Kurt and Evey...just thinking of the both of you and we're very excited to be part of the event on Saturday evening. Bringing the kids with us and making it a family affair in support of yours. Take care of yourself, make sure you are laughing and snuggling daily!
~Dwana & Ian
I'm not sure if we ever met, but I was Glenn's roommate up here in Oregon when he was living here. We miss that guy! Anyway, I just received the email from Glenn today about the Light the Night walk & read the news about your diagnosis. I'm sorry to hear about it. I'm currently training to do a marathon in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, so I know what a wonderful organization it is. I hope you are taking it easy & that everything goes smoothly for you. Positive thoughts are being sent to you right now from the folks up north! Take care, Olga Hundley
Kurt,
Make the most of the fresh air today. It is a good day to be out and about.
Hope the time away from the hospital was a good one. Sorry I missed you when you visited IM, but heard that you were looking great.
Too bad you don't get any more time at home. If you are bored tomorrow when you are back in your cozy hospital room, write a blog or send an email. We all love to hear from you.
Can we get an online poker game together?
Carole
Hi Kurt
We're getting our tennis shoes ready for Saturday night. We'll be thinking of you the whole way.
Mr. & Mrs O
Kurt
Great news and great to see you over the video conference when you joined the team meeting. I didn't realize I would need sun glasses for the shine coming off your chrome dome !!
Just a minor setback, but two other great donors
One more cocktail ans you are on the way
Keep trucking my friend, remember Mammoth this winter skiing
Jeff
Kurt,
Sure missed you a lot yesterday. Went to the Phoenix Club for a little Octoberfest. Thought of you the whole time and tried to drink your share. Hope you don't mind.
Nights are starting to get cool on this first day of Autumn. Won't be long till the snow flys in Buffalo. And it gets to a chilly 60 degrees here (tee hee hee).
Just wanted to send a smile your way. Hoping all is "on plan".
Carole L.
A joke for you ...
BLONDE IN A CASINO
An attractive blonde from arrived at the Casino and bet twenty-thousand Euros on a single roll of the dice.
She said, 'I hope you don't mind, but I feel much luckier when I'm completely nude'.
With that, she stripped from the neck down, rolled the dice and yelled, 'Come on, baby, Mama needs new clothes!'
As the dice came to a stop, she jumped up and down and squealed...'YES! YES! I WON, I WON!'
She hugged each of the dealers and then picked up her winnings and her clothes and quickly departed.
The dealers stared at each other dumbfounded. Finally, one of them asked, 'What did she roll?'
The other answered,'I don't know - I thought you were watching.'
MORAL OF THE STORY - Not all blondes are dumb, but all men are men.
Servus Kurt,
no update for a while. I hope you are doing well and you are enjoying your Cowboys.
FCB is struggling a little.
I´ll keep tracking your blog,
take care my friend
Hi Kurt-
I'm so glad to hear that you're home and doing well. You have been in my thoughts and prayers. Enjoy your time at home and the transplant will be here before you know it. You have such a positive attitude, and I really admire you for that.
take care,
Kelly
Good morning Kurt,
Here is a little comment my uncle sent me yesterday. Being from Wisconsin, I thought it was kind of funny. Thought you might find it amusing.
Have a good day.
Carole L.
A recent study found the average Wisconsinite walks about 900 miles a year. Another study found Wisconsinite's drink, on average, 22 gallons of alcoholic beverages per year. That means, on average, Wisconsinite's get about 41 miles to the gallon.
Kinda Makes You Proud To Be from Wisconsin .
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