The "New" Birthday

Yesterday, I took Patrick, the oldest, to see his Dad. Daniel, the middle, went on Wednesday. Each of them did well on the train and the subway. We didn't stay long on either day, because we were going by train. By the time we actually got into the hospital, it was areound 1130, or so, give or take a few minutes. Patrick and I bought lunch at the SUBWAY sandwich shop, on the corner of 13th, I think....Then we hightailed it upstairs to see Scott. Yesterday, the nurse, who's name I sincerely can't remember, was in the room the whole time we were visiting. This was to ensure his safety throughout the hour long process of transplantation. It was a relatively simple procedure, kind of like getting six small blood transfusions over the better part of an hour. The safety thing had to do with the preservative that they use to keep the cells "fresh" while they are frozen. The preservative can cause heart problems in some people, so the patient is hooked up to a heart and pulse ox and BP monitor. The nurse must watch for any changes in heart rate etc. He was almost finished with his transplant when we left. It wasn't painful at all for him, for which I was and am thankful. He was a little tired, when I spoke with him last night. The staff said that was normal. He was given fluids all night and into late this morning. It seems that they want him good and hydrated, but what ever they do they do. I feel terrible that I didn't go to see him today, won't be with him tomorrow, and not Sunday or Monday either. The train is a little expensive, but that isn't the only problem, the kids need to have somewhat of a "normal" life while this is going on, Cassidy needs to be at home with me, the boys need to get off the bus or out of school to have me here, just for a few days. Daniel has had the busiessest week thus far, he had the trip to the city, baseball indoor practice, and basketball all over the course of 2 days. This weekend, I have a suprise party to go to, one of my oldest and dearest friends from high scool is turning 40, she is the baby of our group, having grraduated fro highschool at 16. Scott wants me to go, he knows that I am invincibly tied to this group of folks, and that it is a GOOD thing for me. They are the folks that know me better than some of my family members, so for a few hours, I will laugh and reminisce, and look ahead with the people who have truly been a great part of my life. Now as for Sunday, Daniel has a practice, or a scrimmage game in baseball. Since Dad can't be there, I must be, no ifs ands or buts. It is important that at least one of us attend out children's activities, as far as I am concerned. Monday, my sister, the one who has been my rock, has to take my Mother to the doctor, so she won't be available to watch Cassidy, so I will postpone my visit one more day.
Tomorrow will be a rough day for Scott, his counts should start to plument, so he will be feeling pretty bad, and might not want to see anyone anyway. I am not going to let the kids see him when things aren't great. Thier minds were eased when they saw him looking "normal." That is the picture of Dad in the hospital they should have, not a man who is feeling BLAH.
The nurse yesterday also said that they need for his counts to go way way down to zero if possible, that way, all of the BAD cells will be killed and the new cells will regenerate into healthy cells, making him Myeloma free, hopefully.
Anyway, that is all for now, will write more as I have more!