R’s chemo had been scheduled to start on November 8 followed by the transplant on November 14. He told the docs he’d do the first 3 days of chemo (when they administer the milder of 2 chemo medications) as an outpatient, meaning he’d be at home until the 11th.

Well, that didn’t go as planned. Yesterday morning the transplant process got off to an unexpected start. R got out of bed and immediately collapsed. I heard the thud downstairs and ran up to see what happened. He was unable to get up and could barely talk. His blood pressure was 80/40. He was fine on Monday and then BAM—the #^!^* hit the fan.

Paramedics took him to our local hospital where they ran all kinds of tests. He was transported to the University of Washington Medical Center around midnight.

His red blood cells were already low as a condition of his cancer and, surprisingly, they’ve dropped further and continue to fall. Red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body. He’s had 3 blood transfusions in 24 hours, which, for some reason increase his fever.

They’ve run every test imaginable but they cannot say for sure what’s happening. We are waiting on imaging of his brain and infectious disease results. His spleen is growing at an unusually rapid pace, even for someone with his condition.

Whether or not the transplant stays on schedule depends on what they determine the problem is.

We’ll likely be at the hospital for weeks and weeks, through the transplant and initial recovery phase.

R feels better than yesterday but he’s super tired and not at all himself. No visitors except immediate family.

I’ll post when I know more. Please send all your healing energy and prayers. He’s going to be okay! When all this is done, we have lots more to do in retirement!