As families in the U.S. gather to celebrate Thanksgiving today, I'm reflecting on the 8 year anniversary (tomorrow), of Dom's transplant. Or, his re-birthday, as it were.
And we are so thankful.
Eight years ago, we spent our Thanksgiving with hospital staff, as Dom was being prepped for the life-saving and life-altering event of someone else's stem cells being dripped into his veins.
Bronze is the traditional gift of 8 years of marriage. It is stronger than both iron and copper, the gifts of the two previous years. (How I wish I'd asked for copper cookware on our 7th anniversary!). So, on this 8 year anniversary for Dom with his new stem cells, I wish him the strength of bronze; stronger than the 2 years prior put together.
It's been an eventful year medically.
In May, we heard rumor his doctor who had been with him through the entire 8 year journey was set to retire. Indeed, in June, we had our last visit. It was a sad farewell. He expressed to us that we felt like family. In truth, we did see more of him than our own families, (with the exception of my dear mom.) We always had a lovely visit and a good laugh when we saw him every 2-3 weeks.
His departure coincided with the approval of a new drug treatment for gvhd. So, the new doctor was eager for a whole new protocol. Our first visit was a flurry of questions and information. Dr. Kiwan is from Lebanon and retains a lovely accent. Which, combined with the tenor of his voice and the amount of information he presents kind of left us like
He asked how far away various hospitals were, and the answer was always, the traffic would kill us. He'd inherited most of Dr. Carrol's patients, and was probably doing a little house cleaning. He also understood it's been a very long haul for us. He discussed the new treatment option and we agreed to a new plan. The irony is, the new treatment was actually something tried for Covid patients; monoclonal antibodies. It did not work for Covid, but we're hopeful it will work for Dominic. (The irony being, Covid has changed our lives almost as much as the initial cancer.)
We've been in a flurry since June. Dr Kiwan connected us with a local Nephrologist to oversee Dom's kidney function. The gvhd has been pummeling the kidneys. Then he set us up with a local oncologist who oversees the new treatment. Did I mention it's local? Did I mention that?! IT'S LOCAL! After 8 plus years of driving to Sacramento at least once a month, if not twice or more; (that's almost 4 hours round trip), we are just down the road. We get a 3 month hiatus from Sacramento. Dr. Kiwan has deftly handled the situation.
Dom has 3 treatments under his belt. We met with a nurse beforehand who talked us through the whole process, which is yet another infusion. Dominic did have infusions through Dr. Carroll earlier in the year, so we sort of knew our way around. The whole process takes about 3 hours. He feels fine after, but by the third day, he feels like he has the flu. This is common. With that knowledge, we planned for an early Thanksgiving, as today marks flu day; and right on target, he did wake up under the weather.
And, not to be outdone by Dom, this year also marks the year that I got serious about my own health. I will spare you the details, but I have never had to juggle so many appointments in my life. I've had my own minor surgeries and dread. I'm okay today, but there were questions and what-ifs along the way. We had one more minor surgery in our household. We've had a second dumped cat appear. I think I've shared about him in my last post. Unlike Houdini, this cat is a bit more feral. I spent several months befriending him. And then I betrayed him. I've had him neutered, just in case someone dumps a female cat down the road. I may have damaged our relationship forever; but, I felt like it was the right thing to do.
There's also been a lot going on where we live. The property is in flux, and we're trying to go with the flow.
But, speaking of the property; we are so blessed to live here. People measure success in different ways. I am not successful by most people's standards. But, yesterday, I walked down the driveway and noticed the polo ponies being rounded up on the property semi adjacent. I stood there and watched all the beautiful horses line up and thought how lucky I am to be surrounded by such beauty.
We watched a beautifully spotted bobcat skulk across the back field yesterday. The fields are turning green again I rescue newts from the pool after a big rain.
The very large house next to us sits empty, in limbo as I stuff my wee home to the gills with nostalgia and comfort. Some would only see clutter and dust; but my people see the heart; the two people bumbling along tougher in unusual circumstances making it work the best way they know how. Thankful today and every day.
