Doppleganger? Stunt Double? Understudy? Whatever... Joyce sends an update on Chris's Condition...

Take 2

Who knew you had to save a blog?

Anyway, Chris is doing better than we originally expected. Who is surprised?

On Wednesday Chris recieved his very toxic dose of 'Malph' ...super chemo...and manged to only be a little queezy. Thursday was a 'rest' day with only two other doses of a lesser chemo. Chris was quite ill Thursday night.

Friday, Travis (i'm only a scientist) and Lara (Super Transplant Nurse) administered Derek's stem cells to Chris. Apparently a lot can go wrong during ths simple transfusion, and fortunately, Chris went extremely well. The stem cells are administered with a Clydesdale sized dose of Phenergan, and Chris experienced waking dreams, or hallucinations that are vivid, but you know are not real. Quite entertaining for spectators!

I have some great photos of the transplant process, and of Chris's 'Birthday Cake' for the event. Even though he is in all of them, I doubt he wll remember! I'm sure he will post them for your edification, just as soon as he has seen them.

Today, Jo, Gene, Mary Ellen and I visited Chris first up this am. He was so excited to see us! We sat with him outside, and took him for some short walks in the hallway (Chris's new hobby!)

Jo, Gene and I returned in the afternoon to spend some time with him. He was up in the shower, getting dressed, had a full lunch and was full of beans! It was wonderful for me to see. He had a good dinner later in the day, and then fell completely asleep. We sat with him for a priod of time --comforting for me, and I think, him.

Over the next four or five days, Chris's blood counts will drop to zero, and he will become a very sick little puppy. Starting day six or seven, the new blood cells should start to kick in, and his health will slowly but surely increase.

He has a great transplant team at RBW and the Mater. We have heaps of confinence in them But, we have an even better team of 'Good Vibrationalists' --friends and family all around us who are making this journey possible. So, to all of you who keep the 'vibe' flowing, THANKS; to those of you who are helping Jo and Gene so that they may be here with us --I really appreciate it; to all our loved ones overseas, we feel the love!; And to all of you who have put up photos for the 'Larry Shirt Challenge' please be assured that your snaps will hit the blog just as soon as someone with technical expertise can manage it! In the meantime, know that your photos grace Chris's 'Wall of Fame' in his hospital room!

Keep those good vibes coming! The next 14 days are the real challenge!

With love,
Joyce