DAY +32

Day + 32 and all is well! Brett's appointment on Friday was another positive visit. Dr Uberti has nothing but good things to say and that Brett is ahead of schedule. Doing so well he cut him down to 1 visit a week in Detroit. The nurse replied to the doctor with shock, "are you sure" then told us when he left the room he never goes to once a week visits this soon.

HMMM I wonder, is the doctor favoring Brett or is he sick of us already? He has a good perspective of Brett from the few visits he had with him over the year prior to the transplant. I think I told you all before Brett had a VERY difficult time making the final decision to have this transplant. He was a stickler and challenged the doctors and the transplant coordinator in every way! I think Dr Williams (brett's oncologist here) gave Dr Uberti a pretty good picture of Brett's personality at the beginning of all of this. And Dr Uberti has stepped up to the challenge of taking Brett on head on! That's good for Brett, he needs to be challenged that's just how he works.

Dr Uberti may also have an inside scoop on how Brett works. His son is a fellow cyclist who Brett knows and has raced against a few times. Those of you who know a cyclist well enough know that they are a totally different breed. They all have a similar unique personality. It's very strange but true. A little addictive and somewhat controlling yes, but it seems to be a neccesity to be a good cyclist. They race with a team or sometimes alone. They wear a similar team jersey but might race a different type of bike because that's what they feel better on. They go on rides with others to train themselves to go faster and watch videos to get pointers on tactics but ride alone to fine tune their own techniques and riding style. They have to be able to work in a group and as an individual all at the same time.

Now about the once a week visit. At first I was so happy for Brett. See before we go to the appointment we come up with a plan... a plan of action. We have a list of a few things we are going to "present" then we come up with a scenario of what we or he will say depending on how the doctor responds. For example ... about being able to go home. We had it all planned out pretty much, we'd ask, give a little sob story, give some facts about needing good food not take out everyday, getting proper exercise, benefits of being in your own home etc etc

However when the doctor came in first thing he said was "where do you live again? we might as well get this out of the way I know you're gonna ask when you can go home."

Again this week was the same. Brett was ready and had a plan to talk the doctor into a once a week visit. But somehow Dr U got to the punch line first. He just blurted out after a short physical check up and a few questions... you can come back in a week. Brett was so excited I couldn't help but be happy too. But later couldnt' help thinking is this the right thing to ? Are we rushing things, is being ahead of schedule really that good?
Now I have to be more of a nag to make sure he's doing what needs to be done to stay on track. And to make sure he's not doing the things he's suppose to stay away from. I need to beef up the " did you take your pills" "time to walk" "you can't eat that" and the worst one "NO you can't mow the lawn" Yup that's the worst thing for him right now all he wants to do is mow

He's been arguing with me for the past few days, and coming up with every challenge "I'll wear a respirator" (yes we have one) "why can I go for a walk when the neighbors are mowing and breath in all the 'stuff' flying around but I can't mow myself"? I respond with "why take the risk" Why take the risk of getting sick when you've come this far just to mow the lawn." His response - "I just want to mow"

sounds like a simple request but he just can't do it, it's just too dangerous. I feel so bad because I know he just wants to get back to normal. Yes, he'd like to ride but it's easier for him to accept to wait on that because his energy level isn't where it needs to be. But to not do some of the simple things, that's getting harder and harder.

I have to remind myself it's ok to be a nag, it's ok to say NO. But it's so hard, his cyclist personality usually prevails...he takes what others suggest but he usually ends up doing it his own way. This has gotten him this far, this is probably why he's doing so well and is ahead of schedule, so how can you argue with him? He has amazed us all with his strength and perseverence, so what is one to do?
Dont' worry he wont' be mowing the lawn ... but I have a feeling that is just going to be the start. We are on our way to all new kinds of challenges...

peace love and happiness until next time