Day +63

i've been doing a lot better lately. The last 3 visits to clinic have not had to have any transfusions or meds and stomach is feeling a bit stronger. Doctors are FINALLY letting me return to CT today - looking forward to getting home. Will have to come back here 1 or 2x a week for a while to have blood counts, etc. checked. Have spent my days at the Ronald McDonald house watching the Yankees catch up to the Red sox - would like to mention we are only 71/2 games behind . . . playing the Mets this weekend so we should continue to catch up!
Thank you out to everyone for all the support for the 70 days that i have been here in Boston.

P.S. : Thank you to: Jayme, can't thank you enough for all sports memorabilia that you gave me - its beyond anything i could have asked for. Thank you to Lisa, for delivering gifts and coming to visit me.

Day +55

Have had a couple days off from the hospital and just hung out in our apartment at Ronald McDonald house. Starting to feel more like a human being again. Got out on the porch a few times. Today i am at the Jimmy Fund Clinic at Dana Farber again and looks like its gonna be another long day - need to get blood trans and IV meds. Just saw my buddy Jacob from Dr. Joes office - waved at him thru the window - glad to see him looking so good and speaking about looking good . . . how bout them Yankees !! - 10 1/2 games and closing . . .

Day +51, +52

Finally got out of the hospital late Sunday afternoon. Still not feeling too good - still nauseous and weak but change of scenery might help. Today i am at the Jimmy Fund Clinic at Dana Farber and looks like its gonna be an all day thing - need to get platelets and IV meds. I get my own room with tv, and found a wireless connection to computer. And how about A-Rod last night!! . .

Day +50

Didn't quite make it out the door of the hospital today. They need to check some of my levels tomorrow morning so i have to stay one more day Docs say that tomorrow i should be getting out . . . i hope they mean it this time! . . .

Day+49

This is officially my last night at the Childrens Hospital. Want to thank everyone for all the cards, gifts, blog comments, prayers, and support for the last 57 days here at the hospital. I will be moving on to Ronald McDonald house tomorrow for a couple of weeks and will try to keep blogging when i can (no internet there). Nurses are all very upset that i am leaving but i guess they will have to get over it. They are sending me out of here with a ton of meds so i will be spending most of my time just trying to get them all down. As i speak it is 9-3 Yankees - things are starting to change for the better in all directions . . . the comeback begins . . .

Day +48

Today was good. Had pt and docs are happy with how i am doing and, unless anything else comes up, they are aiming for a saturday release. The nurses are already starting to cry . . but they will have to get over it. Did find out my tutor will keep seeing me until i go back to CT - i think i can deal with that.

Day +47

Another good day. Got up earlier today and had a nice long 2 hr session with tutor. Also had pt and then pretty much relaxed the rest of day. Rumor has it i could possibly be getting out this weekend . . . of course, can't leave Boston area for a couple more weeks - will have to go to the clinic at least 3x a week until they say i can go back to CT.
Its about time - my Yankees finally gained a game against the Red Sox . . . maybe things will start to turn around for them - i still have faith . . .

Day +46

Overall, a good day today. Docs removed 2 meds from my list which maybe means getting closer to getting out . . . ?? . . . but, of course they won't say. Finally was up to pt today - thank god i can start resculpting again. Started eating a little bit more too. Goddamn Yankees failed me again . . .

Day +45

Today was kinda a repeat of yesterday. i did manage to eat 1/2 of P&J and some mac&cheese . . . real gourmet. Got out in the garden again. Eric - is your golf course private or public??. . . and who will be driving the carts . . . (hopefully the blonde and not you)

Day +44

Today was a better day. Actually tried to eat something for the 1st time in i don't know how many days. They started my new meds for GVHD and i guess they must be helping. Went out to the garden again today because i was finally feeling up to it again - no one else was out there so nothing much to look at. goddamn yankees . . . .

Day +43

Another crappy day - still don't feel good. Results of biopsy: mild GVHD of gastro tract, started me back on steroids today. . . hope to feel better in a few days. Guess i will still be here when Clemens comes to town . . .

Day +42

Felt like crap again today. Had scope and biopsy procedure in afternoon (didn't help my nausea). Doctor found out i was a Yankee fan and threatened to put a tattoo of Big Papi on my ass while i was knocked out . . . would not have been happy about that. When i got out of OR i checked just to make sure he didn't. Will find out results of biopsy tomorrow . . .

Day +41

Totally exhausted from sleep test. Not only did they put the same electrodes all over my body but this time they added a special breathing mask and then told me to go to sleep - not happening. Spent all day sleeping to try to catch up. Tomorrow they scope and biopsy my GI tract - not looking forward to that but they will put me out so i won't know whats happening.

Day +40

Went out to the garden again today. Still not feeling too good. Have to go prepare for my sleep test tonight . . . zzzzzzzzz

Day +39

Day started out ok. Took a walk in the hall and then went out in the garden and took in the sights this morning. Things started to go down hill again in afternoon when i got really nauseous again. New team of gastro docs came to see me - they might have to scope and do biopsy of my stomach and small intestine later this week to try to find out what is causing problems. Can't believe im still here after all this time - was hoping to get out this week but doesn't look that way now . . .

Day +38

Had a lovely tutoring session this morning. Got nauseous again this afternoon - Doctors trying to figure out what is causing it. They also want to send me for another sleep study wednesday night but i don't want to go - just want to feel better and get out of here. Yankees beat the Red Sox tonight - that always makes me feel better . . .



P.S. thank you to: the Goughs for the gift package!

Day +37

Another quiet day. Still don't feel too good. Felt better after the Yankee game against the Mets tonight . . . "Lets Go Yankees" . . .

Day +36

Relaxing day today. Weekends are always quiet - no pt - no tutor. Still in iso - not much i can do - so just hung out in bed all day. Might get off restriction tomorrow and be able leave the room. . . maybe . . .

Day +35

Sleep test last night was ridiculous. They wheeled me and my bed to another floor. They stuck electrodes all over my entire body and then told me to go to sleep. . yeah! Woke me up at 6 am and sent me back to my own room. i was exhausted from all the traveling. Was feeling nauseous again, took the pot pill and basically slept all day.

P.S. : yes Eric, i know who won %&!@!#!!!!

Day +34

Felt kinda sick today - threw up for the first time in a few days. Resting up for my sleep test tonight zzzzzzz

Day +33

Another slow day today. i did however have my private tutoring sessions - she had another lovely skirt on today so i let her come back in the afternoon for a 2nd session. After tutor was supposed to have pt but she never showed up and boy, was everyone pissed. My nurse called and yelled at pt coordinator - they promised to be here tomorrow but we will see. Don't want to fall behind in my body sculpting - need to keep up with Corey and JC. Tried to get on line to play Halo 3 Beta but system wasn't ready yet - another disappointment. Tomorrow night am scheduled for a sleep study evaluation so they can check on my oxygen problems when i am sleeping. At least i get to leave isolation for 1 night and go to another room on another floor. Thats about as exciting as it gets around here. Gotta sign off now to watch Lost.

Day +32

Today is 40th day ive been here - done as much time as Paris Hilton will have to do - probably more. No word of a release date yet. Had pt today but have to say i truly enjoy my education up here more. pt actually made me move today. i gave it my best effort - need to sculpt my dessimated body (Lisa you have a lot of work ahead of you). Overall it was not a bad day. . .

P.S. Eric thanks for fixing the door

Day +31

Busy day. Had visitors - aunt Deb and uncle Ern (thanks for coming to see me and making me laugh). They took my parents to lunch at the same time my tutor arrived (very good timing) - first time with tutor in my isolated room - discovered education is a wonderful thing . . . got lasix again tonight and it is working overtime.

P.S. thanks to: Ernie - for the rock . . . and to Mrs. B for B.B. package

Day +30

Today was slow day, took it easy in my room - spent most of day in bed. They never let me sleep at night so have to catch up during day. They disconnected me from my med pump today for 1 hour but had no where to go - so went back to bed. No tutor on sundays - i was a little disappointed - ready and willing today in my isolated room. Ate something today(even though it was only 4 Cool Ranch Doritos) as a gift to my mom for mothers day. Wishing all you moms out there a happy mothers day.

Day +29

This morning i woke up with hard core itchy rash on my back. Come to find out it is zoster (shingles) - common for transplant patients im told. It doesn't hurt, just itches like crazy, contagious to those who haven't had chicken pox, and doctor said this will set me back at least a week if not longer. Because of this, i had to transport to another room. its an isolation room so no one can see or talk to me unless they go through an airlock, glassed in entrance first- so im pretty lonely. No more trips out into the hall or into the garden - basically cannot leave my room until it clears up - whenever that is! On the upside this gives me more isolated time with my tutor. Other than that, it was a great day . . .

P.S. im ready to party Michael!

Day +28

Another sleepless night. Nurses woke me up every 30 mins for vitals. Lasix again this morning - peed every 20 mins - exciting but exhausting adventure - kidneys seem to be working today. Managed a shower and 2 tutoring sessions (she was wearing a very short skirt today) . Got some new meds that look like yellow paint and tastes like it too. Made me feel really crappy and couldn't handle pt after that (sorry Kathy H.) . Kev, sorry haven't played xBox in a while - it has been a long, long time ive been stuck in this hospital and haven't felt up to it yet. Glad to hear you joined the golf team and yes we will play this summer so keep practicing. Eric, i did notice you are "a little chubby and have only a partially developed brain" - both are pretty obvious . . .

P.S. thank u to: Michael White for your special gift - i know how much it meant to you and means a lot that you gave it to me. Your letter gave me a real boost - really can't thank you enough . .

P.S.S. thank u to all: "ELBBC" (Browns, Bottinis, Ossos/Imbriacos, Rotchfords) for the very large "Official Boredom Buster Gift box" - already hung up hoop on door and practicing my shot!! . .

Day +27

Little to no sleep last night - woken all night for blood pressure, temperature, blood trans and lasix (again). Got ready for pt today - they never showed up - really pissed me off. Went back out to the garden as well today - it was beautiful outside. Took a walk out there even though sadly a very short walk. Counts are still coming in slowly - if i keep staying strong i could possibly be leaving by end of next week??? Kidneys and oxygen are still an issue. Dave - what's the latest on the coach for next year?

Day +26

Worked with the tutor for the first time this morning - let me tell you, she is an extremely young gorgeous blond, however it still involved school work so it still sucked. Went out to the garden in afternoon and the tutor found me out there again for even more tutoring (i think she really wants me) Had pt today and actually worked out - some serious ankle flexes and went for another walk down the hallway - way too much for one day!

P.S. thank u to: the Thomsons - love the Yankee t-shirt - front says "There never was a Curse . . . " back says "The Red Sox just sucked for 86 years. Reverse That!" - it will piss off many die hard red sox fans here!

Day +25

Counts continue to improve - slowly. Wheeled around the garden again today, the sights were very nice - and im not talking about the flowers. When we got back upstairs near my room i took a walk down the hall again - not quite ready for Dancing with the Stars yet. pt showed up too late, i was already done - told them to come back tomorrow.

Day +24

Met my tutor today - and that was enough, will open books another day. Ms. Mantoni/Ms. Kelly can i get a credit for the blog??? Walked all the way down the hall and back today. Blasted all the Red Sox fans along the way about The Rocket. (Mr. Mountain - say hello to my lil friend ROGER!) Thinking about walking again tonight.

P.S. Eric - pt is a good thing, not laying around and pestering the nurses like you would do.

Day +23

Better day again today - ROGER CLEMENS!!! - How about that uncle Ern??! Very active day - kidneys seem to be somewhat slowly working again - actually got temp unhooked from med pumps and wheeled off the floor and outside into the garden for 5 mins. Took another road trip down to x-ray in the afternoon. Very tired tonight from all the traveling. . .

Day +22

Today was a little bit better - kidneys still a problem but lasix worked somewhat, oxygen levels higher - overall . . . better day . . .

Day +21

First of all, made it through the night with dad . . oxygen problems all night so we didn't get much sleep. Still having problems with blood pressure, fluids and capillaries too so had to take a trip to x-ray and later had to get ultra sound of kidneys and meet with more doctors. They are trying to blast my kidneys into action with something called lasix - hasn't started working yet, could be another long night. Good news - actually had ANC count over 500 again - 3 days in a row - so have officially engrafted - would be great if other problems would resolve and if i didn't still feel like sh$& - they didn't even make me do pt today . . .

P.S. thank u to: GiGi - thanks for the gifts . . . when I get back to Dr. Joe's be prepared for a extreme game of candyland!

Day +20

No drama so far today - might be some tonight . . . they gave me some laxatives today and dad is staying with me for the first time overnight so will see how that goes. Eric - i might really need that yankee toilet paper tonight! Counts went up again today, doctors were happy again and are taking one of my meds away. Went all out in pt today, walked all the way to the door and back, really stepping up my game. But hey . . . i still feel like sh$&!


P.S. thank u to : Sandy Sandberg for gift box with yankee stuff and book - very nice!

Day +19

Started the day with some drama - puddle of blood on my bed due to the fact one of my lines pulled off and instead of stuff going in, blood was coming out (not sure for how long - but was impressive) Still having some oxygen and capillary leak issues. ANC blood count is up again today - might be on my way to engrafting but not official until it stays above 500 for at least 3 days in a row . . . doctors were happy with progress - i might be too if i didn't still feel like sh$& . . .

Day +18

Started my day early this morning by one of the doctors putting what looked like a space helmet over my head for 20 mins (to measure if im getting enough nutrients in my tpn - yeah i don't understand it either) Having some oxygen issues today . . . must be that 5 minutes of pt i dominated in today. Rest of the day spent sleeping - counts still slowly coming up . . . still feel like sh@& . . .

Day +17

Still feel the same today- had to get platelets and blood - white blood counts continue to slowly (i repeat, slowly) move up a little. Was offered pt and tutoring today - passed on both, thank you . . .

P.S. thank u to: aunt kathleen for gift package and aunt marsha for yankee pants (Eric - the yankee toilet paper would have been nice . . .could have used it today)

Day +16

Still feel like sh@& - white blood counts went up a little today again - zzz most of the day - yankees lost . . .

Day +15

Finally, thank you Yankees . . . the winning streak now begins . . .

Day +14

Well, think i am in contention for another achievement award on 6 West . . . yesterday I had a serious bloody nose for 2.5 hours - was very impressive and really got the attention of my nurses and doctors. After they pumped me up with many units of platelets it finally stopped (then started again for little bit). They also did a ultrasound on my neck yesterday to make sure there were no clots because it became all swollen. All part of the healing process they keep telling me. . . today my white blood counts went up just a little (the right direction at least) and i felt better than yesterday. Got all pills down, did my shower and pt - a few exercises in bed and half a walk around the bed - continuing to sculpt the body. Now that i just saw the score for the sox-yankee game im ready to hit the morphine button and go to sleep again.

P.S.- thank u to: the Anthonys for the Yankee blanket and chocolates to bribe the nurses and to Amy and everyone at Dr. Joe's office (and Aylwards) for the creative gift box with lots of Yankee stuff, Chuck Norris tshirt (and especially for the nice message that Dr. Joe wrote on the card . . .)

P.S.S. - Eric - you should be experienced at treating burns . . .

Day +13

13 was not my lucky number today . . . long day . . . tell you about it later . . . zzz

Day +12

same . . . waiting for blood counts to come up so I can stop feeling like SH@&!!!!
(Hey Eric, how bout that 3rd inning of the Mets game against the Rockies???.....!)

Day +11

All day totally focused on getting pills down and keeping down, doctor's orders - accomplished goal - now i can sleep . . . Mets suck . . . zzzzzzzzz

Day +10

We are now into double digits - Day +10. Had another rough day - the usual, even the pot pills don't seem to be helping keep all these pills down.

P.S. Sending a thank u out to: my aunt Marsha - great poster & tshirt and to the Hunt family- Chandler and Jared, you did a great job of picking out yankee stuff - it was a nice surprise and i really appreciate the yankee support!

Day +9

Spent the day sleeping, trying to take pills and throwing up all day -- the usual. They tell me its basically going to be this way until blood counts come up - could be a while, different for everyone and you know - i never take the easy way. . . yankees are not helping . .

Day +8

Very uneventful day - i did not throw up at all today . . . still felt like it though. Weekends are quiet here in the hospital. No PT today, body still recovering from yesterday. Took pills and slept. Woke up every once in a while to watch baseball game (yeah, I know who won) . . . . had a dream that Eric snuck into my room and tried to steal my pot pills but took the laxatives by mistake . . .

Day +7

Today was only somewhat better - hey, only threw up twice (if that's your definition of a good day). Had physical therapy - which consisted of lifting my arms and walking around the bed - I am working on my phenomenal aerobic abilities. Rest of the day was taking pills and sleeping. They put an extension on my bed - now I can stretch out - was starting to feel a bit cramped . . . speaking of feeling cramped - don't want to talk about the Red Sox-Yankee game tonight- I already feel bad enough - just want to take my pot pill and go to sleep . . .

Day +6

Today was a bad one too - - except for A-Rod's final hit in the Yankees game (brought a smile to my face) . . . he is just warming up for Boston. Tonight I finally tried the anti-nausea pill that my doctor has been pushing me to - it's called Marinol (the pot pill) . . . I am for the first time enjoying one of my meds. Kept this pill down and looking forward to the next.
P.S. Eric - you know it is always all about me, the "golden boy" so get over it.

Day +5

today sucks too . . . . not quite as bad as yesterday - slept through most of it zzzz

Day +4

today sucks . . .

Day +3

Better day today. They switched most of my meds to either IV or liquid so things stayed down a little better. I took my walk today and played a little xbox with Kev. Boston marathon went on without me.

Day +2

Big announcement - - i have decided not to run in the Boston marathon tomorrow. Sorry to disappoint anyone but weather is not looking good and do to the fact that i felt lousy today and was unable to train i think i will just stay in my hospital room. No record breaking poops today. Biggest effort today was keeping pills down - had to repeat some several times . . .

Day +1

Well, i don't feel any different now that I have new cells working in my body, still feel nauseous, weak and tired - i'm told it will get worse before it gets better.
After days of everyone here worried about my constipation, today i really showed them. I earned my first award here at Dana-Farber/Childrens hosptial - "Largest Amount of Poop in One Sitting" - 1.80 liters! They even made an achievement certificate that is proudly displayed on the outside of my door. I also added to that a little later trying to go for the all time record. . . and today I had lucky nurse Nikki again so we have bonded even more after sharing this momentous experience. The nurses here have to examine, weigh and document every bodily fluid so i couldn't be happier that it was a Red Sox fan that had the honors (especially since they won today as Ernie made sure that i knew). Needless to say, i don't think they are worried about my constipation any more. Also took another walk today and actually made it all the way to the end of the hall and back- marathon conditioning again.

Day 0

Today is the big day - Day 0 - transplant day. Still recovering from all that chemo and radiation but feeling somewhat human. Completed my 7 days restriction to my room and doctors wanted me to get up and move around. i took a walk down the hall to the video room preparing for the Boston marathon (actually just trying to work my way up to making it further down the hall to the kitchen) Got a little closer to nurse Nikki today - have her promising to bake me some cookies when ive been engrafted for at least 3 days. Shes a big red sox fan and asked me what kind of cookie i wanted so i requested them with the Yankee emblem! My donor bone marrow arrived on the floor at 8 pm and i was hooked up and actually started receiving it at 9 and it was done by 10. It looked just like a big bag of blood, just like the transfusions ive had in the past but this is much more meaningful. After this i will be a new man - maybe as powerful as Chuck Norris - Walker Texas Ranger. . .you know how no one can ever stop him!

Day -1

Last day of radiation! My body feels like it has been baking in an oven but one good thing, the nurses now get to lather lotion all over me and thats okay by me! Due to the radiation suntan effects i'm working on my bikini line. Tomorrow is called Day 0 (which i think is bullshit since i definitly feel like i've been through more that 0 days) thats what they call the day the transplant takes place. My donor marrow is due to arrive at 6 pm at Logan Airport tomorrow so actual transplant will take place late at night. Found out the donors blood type is different than mine so by the time this is all over I will end up with a totally different blood type - cool. Feeling a little better tonight but another hot nurse needs to medicate me so I have to go . . .

Day -2

radiation again 2x today - its always an adventure getting there - its all the way over in another hospital thats connected with ours but we have to take about 4 different elevators and 3 walkways to get there and i'm always late because i always have to throw up right before we leave my room. My transport nurse Kim tries to make up the time by pushing my wheel chair at warp speed - i think shes practicing for the Boston marathon. it takes all morning to recover from that and then I have to do it again in the afternoon. Still feel like shit. Highlight of day was when a package arrived from my aunt marsha - a New York Yankee poster. It is now proudly displayed above my bed!

Day -3

Repeat of yesterday - radiation and sleep, then radiation and sleep again. Still feel like shit. Worse thing about today was that it was opening day at home for the Red Sox and everyone in the hospital was dressed in Red Sox stuff . . . they had Red Sox parties at lunch, Red Sox balloons everywhere, handed out Red Sox shirts & books . . . it just wouldn't end . . .

Day -4

Really rough today - feel like total shit. Had total body radiation 2x today - listened to Aerosmith while i laid there for what seemed like forever but was only 20 minutes. then spent the rest of the time throwing up and sleeping - have to repeat radiation 3 more days before transplant. . . Z Z Z

Day -5

today was rough one. got more chemo - threw up everything - only thing that put a smile on my face was hot nurse Nikki - as you can see we are now on a first name basis - but I could have some problems with her since she put a big poster on my wall that said "I love the Red Sox" It's not easy being a Yankee fan up here!

Days -7 and -6

Hello everyone this will be my blog for the 2+ months that i am up here in boston at the Dana Farber Children's Hospital. Yesterday i was going to post however i did not get to it but today i will fill you in. I was admitted to my room yesterday and i must say the rooms are pretty small for a 2 month stay but i have to deal with it. The only plus about the room is that there is a computer in it. For electronics there is a vcr and my only question is do they even sell anything thats not a dvd now a days. There is also a lovely antique 13 inch television which goes great with the vcr. There is a weird lighting system like you can change the color of the lights and you can have a bunch of different combinations of colored lights, i don't get the point of it at all. But enough about the room lets get to the staff on the floor. I was checking out my room when my first nurse walked through the door and i wanted to shout out THANK YOU LORD! Wow was she good looking and sweet as could be. The rest of the nurses are extremely nice i knew i was going to get takin care of for the next 2 months. Today was really the start of things. I first had to get a catscan on my head they were checking to see for certain lesions. However of course it was clear because i am the man. Then they started my morphene pump when we got back to the room which is always excellent. i started out having fun with it and just kept hitting the button which really messed me up. So my mom filled me in later on what they had given me which was a blood transfusion. i then started watching the masters while they put my first bag of chemo up. Now i feel ok right now but my guess is the chemo will start kicking in tommorow and i will basically feel like shit. After the masters a new nurse came in who was also gorgeous and i found out that she is a die hard red sox fan which most people in this hospital are. i also found out quickly she is very sensitive about the sox and her and i started going at it about the sox and yanks. So after the whole fight she said ok you and i are gonna have a great 2 months. I knew she wanted my sculpted body from the start. Throughout tonight i will be getting fluids and thats it until tommorow i'll try to keep updating this as much as i can but the more sick i get the less im going to feel like doing it so i may have my mom do it on the nights i don't feel up to it but i miss everyone and hopefully i will talk to you all tommorow.