On schedule

The transplant schedule has stayed the same since last week, it all begins next Monday. The answer to the question "has the donor confirmed" was "yes," so I'm very happy about that. I've been trying to think what it must be like for a young man to do this. He must have a very strong sense of community, and a good relationship with his parents, since I would be about their age or more. It's a fine thing, that's for sure.

Regarding my lung function, it was reassuring to learn this week that my DLCO test result of 47% should be compared to 80%, which is normal, not 100%. There's no sense in letting it get worse, though, so I started my weekly treatment of Prolastin, with no side effects that I can tell.

Moving back and forth between Seattle and home has been a slight challenge, but it's been very nice to be home for a little while longer. Thankfully, the street construction by Mercer that could only be done at night (all night!) is finished. That only leaves the annoying day-time construction noise of the new building just beginning construction right outside the window, across an alley. We've put in for an apartment on the other side of the building. The sad thing was that we had just noticed a raccoon couple playing in the trees on the vacant lot just before they tore the trees out. I thought it would be fun watching the raccoons the next few months, but they're long gone, now.

It was so good to see some great friends at work yesterday when I went to pick up my new building pass. I hope to be able to do that more on the good days while I'm in Seattle. Actually, the picture on the pass is shortly after my first stem cell transplant, so I look almost like it, although a touch more gray these days. The young guy on the old pass is long gone!

Hockey season is almost over, but there's still the state tournament this weekend! Go Team!