Day 116
Not much has happened in the past week to report concerning John. His health is "good." He has been working on the finale to his webcomic and testing a new one that involves drawn characters in stylized digital photo settings. It is very creative visually and has a different tone to the story line.
Debbie and I have been picking a place to "live" in Seattle. We have two possibilities, one within walking distance of the clinic. I think she will fly out on Sunday to pick one and furnish it. We have been offered a loaner car from a friend of a friend and she will make connection on that as well. There is a lot to do here in getting ready, as well, but we are managing, and it is easier to deal with when the reason for the effort is a hopeful one.
Dr. K has urged John to get started on his new treatment as soon as possible, next week, in fact. It has been 12 weeks since his last chemo treatment, and he carries the twin risks of relapse and infection. It took a week to get the paperwork done to transfer his donor search. With that done, the Seattle people will need to evaluate the results and establish a schedule.
I sent word to the intake staff person yesterday about Dr. K's advice. She was out for the day, but another person called back at the end of the day. I appreciated the effort, although she knew little about his case or file. She said it normally takes several months to get someone into preparation for a transplant, which could be too long in John's case. I sent an email last night to the doctor in charge of the trial asking if he could help expedite the process. I hope to hear back today.
The medical world seems so complex today that it is easy to become just another card lost in the shuffle. No one is really in charge and if the process breaks down or someone needs something out of the ordinary, the patient or his family has to step in. With all the miracle treatments, one-on-one care is still important, but not always there.
On the good news, Courtney plans to come to Seattle after the term and stay. It will be good to have her there and a help as well.
Debbie and I have been picking a place to "live" in Seattle. We have two possibilities, one within walking distance of the clinic. I think she will fly out on Sunday to pick one and furnish it. We have been offered a loaner car from a friend of a friend and she will make connection on that as well. There is a lot to do here in getting ready, as well, but we are managing, and it is easier to deal with when the reason for the effort is a hopeful one.
Dr. K has urged John to get started on his new treatment as soon as possible, next week, in fact. It has been 12 weeks since his last chemo treatment, and he carries the twin risks of relapse and infection. It took a week to get the paperwork done to transfer his donor search. With that done, the Seattle people will need to evaluate the results and establish a schedule.
I sent word to the intake staff person yesterday about Dr. K's advice. She was out for the day, but another person called back at the end of the day. I appreciated the effort, although she knew little about his case or file. She said it normally takes several months to get someone into preparation for a transplant, which could be too long in John's case. I sent an email last night to the doctor in charge of the trial asking if he could help expedite the process. I hope to hear back today.
The medical world seems so complex today that it is easy to become just another card lost in the shuffle. No one is really in charge and if the process breaks down or someone needs something out of the ordinary, the patient or his family has to step in. With all the miracle treatments, one-on-one care is still important, but not always there.
On the good news, Courtney plans to come to Seattle after the term and stay. It will be good to have her there and a help as well.
