November 2 - Bone Marrow Was Extracted Today

Got this update earlier today:

We ordered room service last night. Skeet and I shared a 180 g Rindfleisch garniert mit Speck, Tomaten, Gurken, Zweibelringe und frischen Gouda dazu French Frieze mit Tomaten. Translation: 180 g beef garnished with bacon, tomatoes, cucumbers, onion rings and fresh Gouda and French frieze with tomatoes - ketchup and mayonnaise. The ketchup is actually BBQ sauce and cucumbers are really pickles. We skipped the onions and cheese.

Skeeter had a rough night. I am so glad we were in the connecting room because he fell down trying to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. He has quite a bruise today to show for it. Jim was able to get him up and back on his feet. But he was so unsteady. After he was back up, his feet just started sliding backwards. He was still hanging on to the chair and Jim was behind him so he prevented another fall. I was up after every cough or hiccup, or any sound that wasn't a snore, checking on him.

After all our driving yesterday, we made a wrong turn today. But fortunately we left the motel at 10:00 am so we arrived at the clinic at 10:30 for our 11:00 appointment. We met with Dr. John and he had the funniest way of saying there have not been any complications, until today. At first I was thinking "What? What happened today?" before I realized his meaning. Read it over again and you will see what I mean. He allowed me to go in with Skeeter to watch the collection process. Mary Catherine, of course, had to go too. (She wouldn't speak to us the rest of the day if we hadn't allowed her to go. Dr. John was very agreeable to having his picture taken with her) The best way I can describe it is to say he is so familiar with it that it almost seemed like an automated collection. The area of the collection site is best described as the back, hip, at the pelvic area. At one point Skeeter said that feels like an electric shock and Dr. John adjusted the t-handle device and the sensation was gone. I lost count of how many tubes were collected. But it was A LOT! Dr. John seemed pleased that the flow was so good. Skeeter said it wasn't bad and didn't hurt. He didn't mind the electric shock either.

He was pretty tired afterwards. No wonder, a bad night of sleep, loss of lots of bloodnstuff. So we took him to McDonald's to finally get him his happy meal. He decided on a McRib instead. Now he wants to make sure he gets another one before we leave here. Also, he really likes the chocolate bars. He says they are really creamy.

Going to find a laundromat tomorrow and wash our clothes. **** and I only have what we wore on the plane and one change of clothes. We made our luggage fit in one carry on. Better chance of getting a seat on the plane if you only have carry on luggage. Other than that, it should be a day of rest.

Will let you know tomorrow if Skeeter has any pain or problems with the area at and around the site of collection.

P. S. You know Mary Catherine is the doll that is documenting our adventures, right?

I'm trying to decipher what was meant by ". . . there have not been any complications until today . . ." The only thing I can figure is that there has been nothing happen until today. I am very glad to hear that the doctor was pleased with the flow and am contributing that to Mom's coconut concoction - she may just have to share the recipe for others that might be interested.

Hopefully, Skeet will get a good night's rest tonight and feel stronger tomorrow.