Early in the week, we were notified that Dad’s transplant admission date was moved from Thursday, March 24th to today, Sunday, March 27th per the donor’s request.  I have learned that the plan is that it never goes as planned.  This delayed admission date, along with Dad’s strong insistence, encouraged me to fly out West on Tuesday to spend spring break with Husband, Son, and Daughter.

How apropos that Dad’s new admission date is Easter Sunday, and our church’s Easter sermon is “New Life Starts Here!”

FaceTiming with Dr. Ayala and Diane

On Thursday while on the mountain, I virtually participated in Dad’s pre-admission appointment with Dr. Ayala, transplant doctor, via FaceTime. I felt comfortable participating virtually since Dad has had two of these appointments in the past prior to his previous admission delays.  The appointment was rather routine in that Dad’s medications were reviewed.  Dr. Ayala conducted a physical exam.  Dr. Ayala confirmed that we were well aware of the risks and acknowledged that we have had this “risk” discussion several times now.  Diane, transplant coordinator filling in for Denise, provided an updated calendar depicting day-by-day transplant activities.

Kubi by Revolve Robotics

Dad continues to be amazed by today’s technologies.  Husband and I have been discussing additional technologies that would allow us to be in Dad’s room, during his monthlong stay, when we cannot be there the moment the team of doctors make rounds each day.  A high-end solution, Double 2 by Double Robotics, is being used in hospitals today.  One example is of a teenage lymphoma patient continuing to attend school virtually from his hospital room.  I personally like the Kubi by Revolve Robtics as a moderately priced solution.

Dad called the Moffitt Cancer Center this morning to confirm a noon availability of his bed on the BMT (blood & marrow transplant) floor…his bed is ready and waiting for him.  If it had not been ready, he would have gone to the BMT clinic at noon to get his first conditioning chemotherapy, Fludarabine, underway while waiting for his bed to become available.  During Dad’s Thursday appointment, Diane shared that there are currently 7 or 8 inpatients in progress with their stem cell transplants.  Dad will be moving into their BMT neighborhood.  Knowing Dad, he will chat them all up within the first few days of admission.  I hope they are ready for Chatty Daddy.

Dad’s journey to a new life begins today.  Alleluia!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=PBvU7arNhQs%3Frel%3D0