It is alive--Sgt. Hulka Returns

First, thank-you all for your e-mails, cards, pictures. To wake up every morning and to see a full e-mail in box or to look to the walls and see photos really kept me going. No words can explain how important this support was for me wanting to get up each day and fight through some very hard times.

Now onto the facts. I am day +21 from my transplant and I am feeling better everyday. I am still wiped out. Running at about 50% and eating 30% of normal which is probably good for me. Lost 25 lbs in the hospital so getting closer to the target weight. My docs think I am doing great though and should be at about 100% at day +100. They are monitoring my counts almost daily and they say if things continue to go well I should be able to go home early next week to be monitored by my San Antonio oncologist. 

Also in the good news category I met with a radiation oncologist yesterday and she thought that the risks from radiation to the areas that might benefit from it would outweigh the benefits. I feel like the old body just needs a break after almost 2 years of chemo so this was certainly a whew moment after being told I would be needing radiation shortly after transplant.

As far as the transplant for those that are interested in more details please e mail me but certainly not something I would ever wish on my worst enemy. Not a fun experience. At the low points I pictured Dr. Mengele telling my docs "don't you think you are overdoing it a bit with this patient" ha. 

More later but I am again so thankful for those that e-mailed and sent cards during the process, they really helped keep me going through some days I didn't think I was going to see the end of the day. Onward and Upward and am so excited to get home and continue to get stronger everyday.