My Bone Marrow Transplant: Day -1

LOCATION: Vanderbilt University Hospital - Stem Cell Unit
DATE: 8.13.12    DAY: -1
MOOD:  Would really like to go home now.
MENTAL STATE:  Declining.
PHYSICAL STATE: Headed downhill - nauseated beyond relief.

The end of the round of Cytoxan brought its usual symptoms of a sinus attack, but the medication pumped in to me at the right times really helped the experience be less awful than the night before. I spent only part of the night rocking back and forth humming.

I have only one more day until the 'big' day and I am ever so thankful the chemotherapy part of this ordeal has ended.  Today consists only of a short trip to the radiation department for a one and only time of treatment.

Around 10:00a, a man came to my door with a wheelchair and ferried me through seemingly every deep and dark tunnel of the hospital to the radiology department.  Clothed in only a hospital nightgown (my first since I've been admitted), it was a very long, cold, and vulnerable ride.  Should there ever be a next time, I will be sure to take a robe or a blanket with me.  In retrospect, I should have spoken up and said something about it, but my head was still not functioning properly from the night before.

I arrived at the radiology department and after having answered a few questions to confirm my identity, I was asked to mount the most awkward upright stand imaginable.  It looked to be made up solely of metal piping with a bicycle seat attached in the middle with the seat height just high enough to balance myself with my toes.  Metal hand holds extended from each side for me to help hold myself in place.  Once positioned, I sat there for four minutes while a buzz sounded and a huge machine aimed at me vibrated across the room.  I repeated the four minute session three times, once facing front, and twice facing backwards.   I felt nothing during the entire treatment but was advised to keep my eyes closed to keep from getting dizzy.

The wheelchair ride back to my room was a blur and I kept my eyes closed the entire time.  Once back in the room, I felt drained and crawled in bed and slept for several hours.  Nausea showed up in full force and lunch and dinner were picked at.  I finally threw up everything in my stomach late that night.  The nausea medicine they gave me made me sleepy so I finished the evening feeling miserable but able to sleep.