Day 145
"Perfect Strangers" turns out to have a unique and literal meaning, it seems. Several weeks ago, Debbie called a fellow lawyer here in Seattle to see if there might be a way to find someone with a reliable car that we might buy or rent here. In two days, a friend of a friend of a friend offered to give us a 93 Volvo wagon with a dent and dangling side mirror. Debbie offered to buy it, but they insisted, although they did agree they would take it back if that was the best way for us to dispose of it when we leave.
Last night, we drove out to their house. It was modest, but well cared for, like many homes here. We sat in their living room, which had no ceiling because they were renovating, with two children under five climbing over everyone and everything and got to know some of the kindest people there may be. They are fairly young and not wealthy, but charity has little to do with how much one has to give.
We took them some roses, a modest gesture at best, and the five year old took them, saying, "These are for me, because my middle name is Rose." We talked about how we got connected, how John was doing, their lives and made new friends in a half hour's time.
There is a grace to accepting charity that is hard to learn, and difficult to express, but I've found reasons to thank many in recent months. If any happen to read this, you know who you are.
We had our first appointment yesterday at "the Hutch." It was a combination of efficiency and attention that was reassuring. There was an hour of questions, an exam, lab work, an xray, a tour and a dressing change for John's port, all of which ended up taking the afternoon. The people, place and even the patients have an air of confidence, which is reassuring.
We were given his schedule, which may change due to the substitute donor's schedule. Currently, John will go into the hospital around May 2 and have his transplant on May 5. He will then stay in the hospital for 3 to 4 weeks for the new marrow cells "to take."
They think are minor differences in outcome between stem cell transplants and marrow transplants, but it seems to be a slight trade off between timing, and aftereffects. His transplant will be of stem cells, because of the donor's preference for the process. In the end, it is two ways to the same result.
Today is a long day of tests, ending in a session with the attending physician. John has adjusted well enough to Seattle, despite the chill and rain. He has settled into his room, and basically has a floor of the house to himself. He ordered a new Sony PS2 video game player, which should arrive today. He has talked to his friends by phone and plans to post photos of things on his web blog.
It would be easy to be completely absorbed by all these goings on, but others in the family have suffered their own losses and have their own struggles. They are sad and difficult to share from this far away, but we do.
Last night, we drove out to their house. It was modest, but well cared for, like many homes here. We sat in their living room, which had no ceiling because they were renovating, with two children under five climbing over everyone and everything and got to know some of the kindest people there may be. They are fairly young and not wealthy, but charity has little to do with how much one has to give.
We took them some roses, a modest gesture at best, and the five year old took them, saying, "These are for me, because my middle name is Rose." We talked about how we got connected, how John was doing, their lives and made new friends in a half hour's time.
There is a grace to accepting charity that is hard to learn, and difficult to express, but I've found reasons to thank many in recent months. If any happen to read this, you know who you are.
We had our first appointment yesterday at "the Hutch." It was a combination of efficiency and attention that was reassuring. There was an hour of questions, an exam, lab work, an xray, a tour and a dressing change for John's port, all of which ended up taking the afternoon. The people, place and even the patients have an air of confidence, which is reassuring.
We were given his schedule, which may change due to the substitute donor's schedule. Currently, John will go into the hospital around May 2 and have his transplant on May 5. He will then stay in the hospital for 3 to 4 weeks for the new marrow cells "to take."
They think are minor differences in outcome between stem cell transplants and marrow transplants, but it seems to be a slight trade off between timing, and aftereffects. His transplant will be of stem cells, because of the donor's preference for the process. In the end, it is two ways to the same result.
Today is a long day of tests, ending in a session with the attending physician. John has adjusted well enough to Seattle, despite the chill and rain. He has settled into his room, and basically has a floor of the house to himself. He ordered a new Sony PS2 video game player, which should arrive today. He has talked to his friends by phone and plans to post photos of things on his web blog.
It would be easy to be completely absorbed by all these goings on, but others in the family have suffered their own losses and have their own struggles. They are sad and difficult to share from this far away, but we do.
