Day 0:
If you're unlcear on what day 0 means, please go ahead and read the last blog entry which should explain everything. Well, what a wonderful way to spend a birthday. Yesterday was the big day and I spend it curled up in a ball fighting though the worst stomach pains ever. I didn’t expect those back to back doses of chemo and radiation to really hit me that hard, but they did. Luckily I am already starting to come out of it but it has been a really tough go since Saturday afternoon when it started.
So, as of today I have completed my final rounds of chemo and radiation and have just finished taking in my new stem cells, so that transplant is done. I can’t believe it myself, but the day has finally come. There is a long way to go but I can at least say I am now on the road to recovery. It’s an odd feeling knowing that someone out there in another part of the world went through what they had to go through to get me these cells. Quite overwhelming actually.
Just to give you an idea of how the radiation works, they have you lay down on a table in an awkward position for about 45-50 minutes with your arms taped behind your head in a box type of shape. The first session was the worse because my arms had to remain like that for over an hour while they took measurements. By the time it was over I was screaming at them asking how much longer it was going to be. I’m sure they loved that. The worst part about it was thinking I had five more of those sessions to go. Luckily the final 5 sessions which were done 2 per day were much shorted and more comfortable. More comfortable because I think because I knew what was coming. Well, my final radiation treatment was at 4:00pm today and then two hours later I was watching my new stem cells enter my body. It is absolutely amazing how these things work. There are some very smart people out there who deserve all the respect in the world as well as every penny they earn. I can’t begin that thank those guys enough.
So day 0, my new birthday…the day after my real birthday…what a trip. They say that my new cells are already engrafting to my body so this stuff is already working. With that said, I am still feeling pretty bad right now. It has been tough for me to keep any kind of food down and my headaches are pretty bad, but I am very optimistic that these issues will be better tomorrow.
Thanks for reading everyone and please look out for a new post in the next couple of days. Your messages back still crack us up so please continue to write back. Like I said, Evey and I read every single one of them so keep ‘em coming. You guys are the best and I really don’t know where I’d be without you. Be well and stay in touch.
So, as of today I have completed my final rounds of chemo and radiation and have just finished taking in my new stem cells, so that transplant is done. I can’t believe it myself, but the day has finally come. There is a long way to go but I can at least say I am now on the road to recovery. It’s an odd feeling knowing that someone out there in another part of the world went through what they had to go through to get me these cells. Quite overwhelming actually.
Just to give you an idea of how the radiation works, they have you lay down on a table in an awkward position for about 45-50 minutes with your arms taped behind your head in a box type of shape. The first session was the worse because my arms had to remain like that for over an hour while they took measurements. By the time it was over I was screaming at them asking how much longer it was going to be. I’m sure they loved that. The worst part about it was thinking I had five more of those sessions to go. Luckily the final 5 sessions which were done 2 per day were much shorted and more comfortable. More comfortable because I think because I knew what was coming. Well, my final radiation treatment was at 4:00pm today and then two hours later I was watching my new stem cells enter my body. It is absolutely amazing how these things work. There are some very smart people out there who deserve all the respect in the world as well as every penny they earn. I can’t begin that thank those guys enough.
So day 0, my new birthday…the day after my real birthday…what a trip. They say that my new cells are already engrafting to my body so this stuff is already working. With that said, I am still feeling pretty bad right now. It has been tough for me to keep any kind of food down and my headaches are pretty bad, but I am very optimistic that these issues will be better tomorrow.
Thanks for reading everyone and please look out for a new post in the next couple of days. Your messages back still crack us up so please continue to write back. Like I said, Evey and I read every single one of them so keep ‘em coming. You guys are the best and I really don’t know where I’d be without you. Be well and stay in touch.
26 comments:
We've been thinking of you a lot today, and it's great to hear you're now on the road to recovery. What a major step to have gone through the transplant -- thanks for keeping us all up to date. Can't wait to see you. Looking forward to more good reports.
Love,
Haitham and Sonja
Hey Kurt,
great to read that you took the final steps on the way to recovery. I gfrei mi so. We had our fingers crossed all day long.
Hope you feel better pretty soon.
Sending all the best to Evey & you,
Daniel
Happy belated B-Day! ....and Happy NEW B-Day! Glad to hear all went well today and hope you feel better soon!
Love to both of you,
Jana
There was a power failure in Stockholm, and hundreds of swedes were trapped in escalators.
The swedish Doctor to his patient: "It's very important that you take this medicine exactly 30 minutes before you feel the pain."
...to early for swedish jokes?
Thally,
You have been through so much my friend! I am so happy to hear that you are pushing through all this pain and frustration with your usual grace and ease. I would be punching somebody by now!! But you seem to handle this kind of stuff with just a smile and a sign. You are so strong. Always thinking of you and Evey and hoping every day that take another step towards complete recovery. Knock it out of the park baby!! Sending you loving healing energy!
Sue Paine
You are one tough mofo buddy!! Keep up the positive thoughts and i will too. Can't wait to buy you your first Fire Chief when you get out. Heading to Napa this weekend, so there might be more t-shirt material! :)
Take it easy Kurt,
Steve
Hey KT: happy birthday times 2! How exciting all that new blood sounds, and what an awesome birthday gift, how did the Swedish guy know it was just what you needed, in your size AND color??!! Keep up the good spirits and keep DOWN the food. Miss you much!
X&O from Char
Hey sorry to read you're not doing to good but keep up the good spirit
A joke from my mom
Why does a surgen(doctor) wear a mask over his face before and during surgery? So the patient wouldn't recognize him when he wakes up. hahaha
and happy new birthday!!!
Love Kate and family
Kurt,
I have been quietly following your progress these last few months and I have to tell you how very brave you and Evey are in fighting this battle...I know that you will have a very successful recovery and I wish you all the best wishes for a speedy return to a great life.
SO....here's a little +1 humor to help you guys through dark times....
Man Pisses in a Shot Glass
A guy is in a bar with a bunch of his friends. After a while of shooting pool and drinking, he whispers something to his friends. A few minutes later he walks over to the bartender and asks for a shot of tequila. After he takes the shot he says to the bartender,'' I'd like to make a bet with you.'' The bartender replies, ''Sure I'm in a betting mood.''
So the man bets the bartender $1,000 that he can piss in the shot glass placed all the way across the room and fill it up and not spill a drop. The bartender says, ''I'll take that bet.''
So the man walks to the other side of the room and places the shot glass down. He goes back to the bartender and starts pissing. He doesn't even get a drop in. He pisses all over the place. In the bartender's face, all over the barstools and everything.
After he was done pissing, the bartender laughed and said, ''You owe me $1,000.'' The man paid the money with a big smile on his face. The bartender asked, ''How come you're so happy?'' The man replied, ''You see those five guys over there by the pool table? I bet them $300 each that I could piss all over your bar and you'd laugh about it.''
Take care,
Malu Green (Sende)
Kurt-
You are the man! Glad to hear everything went better with the second transplant & the donor came through. It is amazing that someone across the globe was willing to help you out. The human spirit is amazing.
On to recovery!
Kurtel,
You are one helluva son, and yesterdays's rebirth for you was "labour intensive" for me - hurt like hell (my heart ached) but you popped out and did the job perfectly, just like the first time. I'm very proud of you Sweetie, and love you so much!
Mom xxxxx
Kurtel,
You are one helluva son, and yesterday's rebirth for you was "labour intensive" for me - hurt like hell (my heart ached) but you popped out and did the job perfectly, just like the first time. I'm very proud of you Sweetie, and love you so much!
Mom xxxxx
Kurt:
I am so glad you are starting to feel better. The worst part is over. You are so brave to go thru all that. Take care. Love, Sonia
Hi Kurt!
Very happy to read the great news about your transplant going well for you. Now I think the docs need to prescribe medicine that puts you in that happy place! You have certainly earned it!!! Thinking of you & Evey.
Toni & Mike
Hey Kurt,
So glad to hear things are moving down the road to recovery for you.
Talk about insane stuff! The medical world is crazy amazing...just like you my friend! Keep rockin'! Happy Birthday & Happy 1st B.Day to your healthy life again!
Best to Evey & you!
TC
I am so happy the worst is finally over and you are on your way to recovery. Marc and I can't wait to see you once you can have visitors. Stay positive! Btw....your birthday balloons are still up so we're still celebrating your b-day at the Sarver house!
Love,
Christine
Hi Kurt
Your e-mail yesterday brought tears to my eyes. You have been so courageous through this whole ordeal. Your positive attitude is such a inspiration to us all.
We are so glad that the transpant wet so well. Rest now that the worst is behind you and the best of life is yet to come.
We pray that you are now on the road to a speedy recovery.
Happy belated BIRTHDAY!!
Mr.and Mrs. O
Mr. & Mrs. O
Hej Kurti du alter Schwede!
Good to hear everything worked out fine. Really looking forward to hug you in a couple of days!
Hej då
Andyson Manhartstroem
I am glad the bulk of the hard days are in the past with each new day from "day 0" on to be full of the healing powers of hope, love and prayers. I'll be excited when it is day +20,000, but we probably won't be counting such big numbers at that age!!!
Kurt,
It is all cake from here on out. Thank God for the donor with the big heart.
A little joke for you.
Carole
John O'Reilly hoisted his beer and said, 'Here's to spending the rest of me life!, between the legs of me wife!'
That won him the top prize at the pub for the best toast of the night!
He went home and told his wife, Mary, 'I won the prize for the Best toast of the night.'
She said, 'Aye, did ye now. And what was your toast?'
John said, 'Here's to spending the rest of me life, sitting in church beside me wife.'
'Oh, that is very nice indeed, John!' Mary said.
The next day, Mary ran into one of John's drinking buddies on the street corner.
The man chuckled leeringly and said, 'John won the prize the other night at the pub with a toast about you, Mary.'
She said, 'Aye, he told me, and I was a bit surprised myself. You know, he's only been there twice in the last four years. Once he fell asleep, and the other time I had to pull him by the ears to make him come.'
Surf's up Dude
Happy Birthday 2x
Your out of the tunnel and back in the full sunshine AWESOME NEWS
Know you will keep getting stronger and stronger and recover fast and out of the H
Jeff from North of the Border
Happy Birthday My Friend - what a way to begin another year of life, eh? Man, are you going to be super Kurt or what at the end of all this??!! :) Well, I'm so glad you are finally here - incredible. We're thinking about you around the clock and looking forward to the next phase of your journey - hang in there - you made it!!!!!!
Much Love, Liz and Billy
Great news Kurt and Evey. I have been following your blogs and I am so happy to hear you are on the road to recovery!!!! I have nothing funny to say like the others, but they are sure fun to read! See you in Mammoth!!!
Nicole
Chris and I are hanging out thinking of you. Like the new pics. Look forward to seeing you and Evey soon.
Love,
Chris and Jay :)
hey brother, great news about the transplant. Sounds like you had a rough few days. I hope and pray they are behind you! I sat in the sand the other day and was reminded of the great times we have had sitting on beaches just like this one. The water is great and the tropical sun is hot. I keep two cold beers with me at all times. One for me, the other for you. I look forward to the days that I don't have to drink for you. I will do my best knowing you are doing yours. Take care bro, see you late this week. We get home Friday.
Carn
Dear Kurt,
We have been following your difficult journey, had we been religious we would have prayed for you. However, since we are not, we kept our fingers crossed. We are both thinking of you a lot, admiring you and are hoping that you have a speedy recovery.
Love,
Pavla and Richard
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