Groove -- Word for the Day -- Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Groove ---

Definition: 1: a long narrow channel or depression2 a: a fixed routine : rut b: a situation suited to one's abilities or interests : niche3: top form 4: the middle of the strike zone in baseball where a pitch is most easily hit 5: an enjoyable or exciting experience6: a pronounced enjoyable rhythm

We have begun our groove. All of the above would be appropriate for what has happened since Sunday through today and what is going to happen the rest of the week. ChemoSabe had the MRI on Sunday, MUGA on Monday and the bone marrow biopsy this morning. The biopsy went quite well this morning even with only one lollipop and one Ativan. I thought he would have an anxiety attack last night when I told him we didn't have two lollipops. Poor baby... ha

MUGA???? you are wondering? It is a form of x-ray where the technician takes blood out of your arm, mixes it with radiation, puts it back in your arm, waits an estimated amount of time, takes it back out of your arm and inserts it again. That's right... takes out twice and inserts twice. Some plugs are affixed to the chest area and the patient is hooked up like an ekg then x-rays are done.

Last night while we were watching our pre-recorded soaps (ChemoSabe got hooked on "The Young and the Restless" so I record it each day), ChemoSabe was lying in bed and rubbed his hand across his chest. He jumps up and runs over to my side of the bed as he was telling me about the guy nurse that did his test today. He felt he was either new or bored by the way he was handling things. Well, he must have been something because ChemoSabe raised his t-shirt and lo and behold --- the three metal buttons were still attached to his chest. YEP -- we are back in the groove.

While he was in a waiting mode yesterday, he dropped by and visited with his nurses in the Infusion Center. The place where we spent many days and hours of waiting for chemo bag changes and line to be flushed. Many hours waiting for blood transfusions, potassium and magnesium infusions. They were overjoyed with his visit. He received hugs and kisses and questions about when they would be working on him again. NEXT WEEK!

He has such energy. He is enjoying life and working to his heart's content. We are praying this second round of whatever will not be a hard road. We will know tomorrow afternoon if he will go through a new protocol, a second stem cell or keep on the Consolidation.

We love you.... Will keep you posted.

Good day and Love -- Pepper