Week 1 update

As this first week comes to a close, it’s been a blur filled with mostly fatigue and nausea, side-effects of the chemo and other meds. Most of the past few days have been filled with sleep as I’ve been glued to my bed, struggling to get up only to try to eat, use the bathroom, or do some exercise. 

I finished my chemo conditioning today and will be receiving my total body radiation tomorrow in preparation for transplant on Friday! My cousin Bo’s stem cell collection went smoothly in Chicago and they transported it to Philly! Can’t thank Bo enough for his sacrificial giving of himself to afford me this life-saving transplant. 😌

Thank you for your prayers and esp. the many of you who prayed for me this past Saturday as I began my chemo conditioning this week.  It was a rainy day coming to HUP... the rain was fitting and symbolic as many tears were shed as we reflected on all God has brought us through to this point as well as said our farewells for the next month or so. There were heart-warming tears as we were just overwhelmed by the support of friends and family as this long-awaited day finally had arrived like a dream. But there was also tears of sadness in saying goodbye for now as this is the longest I’ll have been away from home and just anticipating the battle I was heading into with transplant.  Ironically, it made it harder to say good-bye as our family has been spending so much time together during this quarantine time with Covid. 

We were happy to get a room on my favorite floor, Rhoads 7, and it was so nice to be welcomed by familiar faces of different staff members as we walked in. It was a special blessing to get a room with a beautiful view overlooking Penn campus, as I’ll be here for over a month’s time. The staff here are doing an amazing job keeping me and the other patients safe, putting on gowns and gloves each time they come in our rooms. 

Though we’re apart physically, it’s been nice to still be able to have dinner together with family... via Face time! This past Father’s Day, my daughter Joy gave me this jar of notes which includes various quotes, verses, and memories. I look forward to opening up one at every meal!