Wow, a new post in less than a week!

So, a feeling I am having that I'm sure many of you are familiar with.   I feel like a kid at six flags trying to get all the rides in before the park closes.   I'll officially be on "house arrest" starting next Tuesday- except without the ankle bracelet.   So, as a result of that, I'm hitting up all my favorite restaurants, having a cocktail or two, taking care of some business, etc.  Kind of like life of riley.  I like it.

Tuesday will mark the first day of the high dose chemo- at least in my mind.  Tuesday is the test dose day for one of the nasties I'll be eating up.  I have to go in at 7AM, take a dose and then sit and wait.  They will be taking blood from me every 1/2 hour to hour to test and see how my body is metabolizing the drug.  A "dose" will then be adjusted specifically to my body chemistry.  Pretty cool, actually.  Oh, forgot to mention no food after 6AM for the rest of that day. 

As weird as this sounds, I'm kind of excited about the high dose chemo, as most of it will be a type I have not done before.  Busulfan is an oral chemotherapy drug.  I'll be taking this every six hours for like 3 days, then I'll go in for a couple of days of an IV type of chemo which I have had before, and then some more of the oral stuff.  I'm cool with taking it orally- I don't like being hooked up to a pump all the time.   I may be begging for the IV stuff that I am used to before it is all over with, but I'm just happy about something different on the horizon. 

Sooooo, the countdown is on, for the 8/1 transplant.  I'll keep everyone updated on how the high dose is going, and all that good stuff.  Probably post up on Tuesday night after test dose day. 

Also, I just wanted to thank everyone for all the support and love being shown to Melissa and I in person as well as on this blog.  It means so much to us.  It would be really, really hard without such a great network of friends and family.  Sometimes, on the rough days, I'll pull up this site and go back through comments from folks.  It always seems to make me feel better knowing you guys are out there pulling for us and thinking about us. 

This will all be over soon, and we'll owe you all a big debt of gratitude.  Karma will help me pay it off- for each and every one of you. 

Comments

[Fenella]

Hi Jeff and Melissa, you are always in my thoughts. Your attitude is awesome! Hope to be back running this fall, c-section for the twins tomorrow (july 17). Love ya! Fenella

[Chip Corley]

Jeff,

Hey man. It has been quite a while. I heard about everything from a few people and wanted to jump on to wish you the best for the upcoming treatments.

From reading over the blogs I think your attitude throughout is amazing. Keep it up and know there are a lot of folks thinking about you.

Make it a walk in the park. :)

[Terri Stewart]

Hi Jeff! I'm glad things are moving along and I know you are too. We're all thinking about you and sending good thoughts your way. Keep up the posts, it's great! Terri (at AHOA)

[Alison Gottsegen]

Jeff and Melissa,

You two are truly amazing - half of the battle seems to come from attitude alone, and yours is simply remarkable. I was recently sent a link to your blog and just caught up on all that's going on. You are both so brave, and I want you to know that I'm thinking about you and praying for a successful transplant. (As a little inspiration - we had a dear friend go through this same ordeal in NY a few years back, and he's doing GREAT!) You are in my thoughts - thanks for writing this blog. Best wishes, Alison (former BTBer!)

[Paige Philyaw-Limbo]

Jeff,

Hey there, you have been on my mind a lot lately knowing that the day is coming soon. Praying for you and thinking about you all the time. Can't wait to celebrate with you at the walk in October!!

Paige

[Bo Wilkins/Shannon]

We are pulling for you.Wish you could be at the lake with us this weekend. We will find another time for you to come up. Also feel free to use the house at any time this fall!! Sending lots of prayers your way, Shannon