In it to win it!

So, I made this blog a long time ago, thinking I would use it as a sort of journal. Then, because I've never really been into keeping a journal or diary, I promptly forgot about it. But now that I'm in the hospital for my transplant, I figured this would be a good way to keep everyone updated on my progress. Feel free to read or not read, post or not post - whatever you like.

Anyway, like I said, I'm in the hospital. And I'm in it to win it! I'll be here for about a month, and hopefully, after this procedure, I'll never have to deal with stupid cancer again. Today is Day -8. We're counting up from -8 to zero; Day zero will be the day my immune system is completely demolished and I'll get the cells from my donor. I don't know who my donor is or where he is from, but I know that it's a man and he's 49 years old. It's funny to think that after I get his cells, my blood will be composed of his cells, and so if you were to do a blood test on me, it would look like I'm a man! Don't worry, I won't be growing hair on my chest!

Right now I'm sitting on my hospital bed getting my first infusion of a drug called Campath. It's not a chemotherapy; it's actually an antibody. In order to prevent a reaction (like an allergic reaction) against a foreign antibody entering the system, they pre-medicate me with benadryl and tylenol. So far, so good.

The bed here is pretty comfortable. I guess it does make a difference being in a bed that's made for adults and not just kids. My room is big and my window looks out on a pretty courtyard. I have a TV, DVD player, and phone all to myself. Obviously I also have WiFi. There's a room here that has a pool table, big screen tv, and foosball table in it, too. So if you're in the area and want to come visit, we can pretend we're in a pool hall instead of a hospital. :-)

My mom is going to be here pretty much every day, but in the evenings I have friends coming to visit (hi guys!). I have the best friends in the world. Seriously.

Anyway, that's all that's happening now...nothing too exciting. Feel free to send pictures, so I can hang them in my room and think of all of you!

I miss all of you who live far away, and am looking forward to seeing those of you who live nearby!

Much love to all.