and so we begin. . . .

"The achievement of your goal is assured the moment you commit yourself to it."

--Mack R. Douglas

Today Jack had a cardiac sonogram and a chest xray (that was to check whether his cold was the beginning of pneumonia) and got the okay to start.

He was taken back a little today at the prospect of starting so soon but that is why we are here - just not a fun prospect on any front. (I dropped off 9 prescriptions at the pharmacy) He just needs to focus on why we are doing all of this.

Here is our schedule:

Tomorrow (1/10) - We have to be at the hospital at 7 AM for catheter placement. This line will be smaller than the one he had last time since he does not have to collect stem cells. They confirmed that his are there and are in good shape.

1/14 - 1/15 - chemotherapy which means this weekend we need to get a haircut. Also on the 15th the psychiatrist will meet with him to see if he has a proper attitude to go thru the process (seems to me that is too late - we are already committed by that point?)

1/17 - He gets his stems cells back .

1/18 - 2/8 - He gets growth factors and antibiotics every day until blood counts return to normal.

Tentative departure to home in one to three weeks from there - depends where counts are and if we can avoid any surprises.