Much as day 1 passed, so day 2 has gone by. It is a day filled with getting fluids, pills, resting, walking, and eating. I do have some of the negative effects of the "no immune system" and will be dealing with that.
Also, as far as I can know, Adeline is doing ok. Thank you everyone for thoughts concerning her. She is a tough nugget and will be fine...I know it.
Just glad I get to hear all the great things about the 12-0 Packers and all those north division fans whining about their teams...just wonderful. Also, no excuses about injuries and what not, because the Pack had just as many injuries last season as you do presently...deal with the pain!
Thanks all,
Tony
Monday, December 5, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Day +1 Badgers Big 10 Champs!
Wow, was yesterday a day or what!
As Molly was planning to come down to be with me during my transplant, our daughter Adeline suffered a seizure and had to be ambulanced to a hospital in Green Bay. Thankfully, she is doing great this morning. We are waiting to hear from the pediatric neurologist, but all things look good.
I received my bone marrow transplant and have been dealing with the side effects of that. The side effects are not too bad now, but, from the experience of another transplant person in the unit, in about 3 days I will feel somewhat like between the worst flu I have ever had, and being hit by a truck. Everyone's experience is different, and my counts still have a long way to drop before they recover.
It was a long weekend for the Homestead Hockey boys. Their trip to Green Bay ended with two very tight losses. A 5-4 loss to Green Bay United and a 3-2 overtime loss to #1 Notre Dame Academy. It is great to see them come out of the weekend competitive. They also went to the "Be The Match" walk set up by our friend Lauren. Awesome turnout and what a blessing to have such caring people in my life!
The Pittsburgh Penguins held onto their lead in the division with a nice win over Carolina...but they were OVERSHADOWED!
GO BUCKY!!! What an incredible rematch, although the end of the game was disappointing. Back and forth, the comparisons to a heavy weight fight were perfect, as soon as one team gained momentum, the other hit right back. The end though....the end...I am sorry, but why would that Spartan go anywhere near the kicker? Flop or not, unbelievable! Not quite the Hail Mary ending of the first game.
Well, the Packers play today in their, "last chance to lose" this season....which I think is ridiculous. It will be a solid game, but the Packers have the Raider, Lions, and Bears with winning records and play at Kansas City, which is a tough road game. Don't get me wrong, I am all for the 16-0. As a coach myself, I can't see any other attitude than play one at a time, and win every game.
So, the nice thing is, the sports are still pumping life blood into me as much as possible. Although I don't think I can cheer for Dale Sveum....can't bring myself to feel good about any Cub. Sorry Greenhow.
I will continue to do my best and update my blog each day, although the truck hitting flu days may be tough. All this was made possible by the people who have helped and cared so much since I was diagnosed March 16th! I can never say thank you enough, the flood of thoughts, prayers, and wishes yesterday, from texts to phone calls, facebook messages , skyping, and notes was overwhelming and incredible. Thank god for all of you.
I hope this message finds everyone healthy and happy.
Tony
As Molly was planning to come down to be with me during my transplant, our daughter Adeline suffered a seizure and had to be ambulanced to a hospital in Green Bay. Thankfully, she is doing great this morning. We are waiting to hear from the pediatric neurologist, but all things look good.
I received my bone marrow transplant and have been dealing with the side effects of that. The side effects are not too bad now, but, from the experience of another transplant person in the unit, in about 3 days I will feel somewhat like between the worst flu I have ever had, and being hit by a truck. Everyone's experience is different, and my counts still have a long way to drop before they recover.It was a long weekend for the Homestead Hockey boys. Their trip to Green Bay ended with two very tight losses. A 5-4 loss to Green Bay United and a 3-2 overtime loss to #1 Notre Dame Academy. It is great to see them come out of the weekend competitive. They also went to the "Be The Match" walk set up by our friend Lauren. Awesome turnout and what a blessing to have such caring people in my life!
The Pittsburgh Penguins held onto their lead in the division with a nice win over Carolina...but they were OVERSHADOWED!
GO BUCKY!!! What an incredible rematch, although the end of the game was disappointing. Back and forth, the comparisons to a heavy weight fight were perfect, as soon as one team gained momentum, the other hit right back. The end though....the end...I am sorry, but why would that Spartan go anywhere near the kicker? Flop or not, unbelievable! Not quite the Hail Mary ending of the first game.
Well, the Packers play today in their, "last chance to lose" this season....which I think is ridiculous. It will be a solid game, but the Packers have the Raider, Lions, and Bears with winning records and play at Kansas City, which is a tough road game. Don't get me wrong, I am all for the 16-0. As a coach myself, I can't see any other attitude than play one at a time, and win every game.
So, the nice thing is, the sports are still pumping life blood into me as much as possible. Although I don't think I can cheer for Dale Sveum....can't bring myself to feel good about any Cub. Sorry Greenhow.
I will continue to do my best and update my blog each day, although the truck hitting flu days may be tough. All this was made possible by the people who have helped and cared so much since I was diagnosed March 16th! I can never say thank you enough, the flood of thoughts, prayers, and wishes yesterday, from texts to phone calls, facebook messages , skyping, and notes was overwhelming and incredible. Thank god for all of you.
I hope this message finds everyone healthy and happy.
Tony
Saturday, December 3, 2011
DAY 0 ... Blog 3 ... last one today
The transplant is complete. I feel very tired, a little sore, and full. They have to give a lot of fluids with the transplant, so that is also having an impact on how I am feeling now. Thank you everyone for the wishes and prayers.
Love you all,
Tony
Love you all,
Tony
Day 0 ... Blog 2
Just some pre-meds and fluids getting going in prep to the cells. As soon as they get here, a picture will go up. I was told that because of the infusion I'll feel strange and possibly become short of breathe or exhausted....never been there before :) Also, because there is some differences in blood type, they are also giving me more steroids to prevent the red blood cells from fighting with each other.
MARROW!!!!!
IS NOW ....
GOING IN!!
DAY 0 ... Blog 1
The process has begun....sort of.
Froedtert has to check on my blood levels: drugs in my system, how much anti rejection drugs are going through the veins, get my anti fungal, viral, biotics in me and monitor my blood pressure, temperature and heart rate. The cells flew in late last night and they will be ready to infuse sometime this morning, in the next 2 hours.
I am having a light breakfast this morning, as I am feeling the chemo a bit more today than I did yesterday. A little tired, sore throat, upset stomach...however, nothing to be worried about. After breakfast I was thinking about taking a quick walk and shower in case I feel crumby later.
As today is the day, I think I am going to try to Blog before, during and after the transplant, but who knows if that is wishful thinking or what. Good luck to my HHS Hockey boys today against ND Academy. Thank you very much to everyone who is participating in the Be the Match walk in Green Bay.
Froedtert has to check on my blood levels: drugs in my system, how much anti rejection drugs are going through the veins, get my anti fungal, viral, biotics in me and monitor my blood pressure, temperature and heart rate. The cells flew in late last night and they will be ready to infuse sometime this morning, in the next 2 hours.
I am having a light breakfast this morning, as I am feeling the chemo a bit more today than I did yesterday. A little tired, sore throat, upset stomach...however, nothing to be worried about. After breakfast I was thinking about taking a quick walk and shower in case I feel crumby later.
As today is the day, I think I am going to try to Blog before, during and after the transplant, but who knows if that is wishful thinking or what. Good luck to my HHS Hockey boys today against ND Academy. Thank you very much to everyone who is participating in the Be the Match walk in Green Bay.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Day -1 ... Tomorrows the BIG DAY!
So, down to the last day...actually...before transplant. I figured less words and more pictures. There is no way of ever putting into words all of the support I have gotten. I am blessed! No order to this, just thrown together for all to see.
Futbol vs. Football game at Homestead High School. Kids did an amazing job organizing it!
For some reason my buddy Brent always has a decent picture of me up on his wall, along with his parents and many other members of the Eau Claire community, they put on an awesome event at Happy Hollow in EC.
The HHS students are amazing wherever they may be!
Catfish will be back at the Rubber Classic Golf Event in Antigo as soon as possible!!!
A big thanks to Ernie for setting up Operation Wish Lantern in Mequon. Beautiful!
So cool!!
Another great picture of the event in Eau Claire at Happy Hollow.
The soccer teams in Eau Claire (North and Memorial) put on a great game, all dressed in orange, the Leukemia color and decorated the field with orange ribbons, jerseys, and shirts!
The Navarre Game shirt has made it all the way to Isreal on the back of an awesome student!
More great students and players! HHS is a wonderful place to be!
The family gathered at the EC Memorial North game. Looking good!
The Bracelets were a very cool idea, it is great to see them pop up in pictures all over!
Winnie Underhill is all set for the Navarre Walk in Green Bay tomorrow, fittingly, about the same time that I will be getting my donor cells!! Awesome.
Thane and Nick made sure Navarre got to a Packer game this year...one of the first times I will be unable to physically see Da' Packers play in probably more than a decade. Thanks guys!
My friends in MN put on the Navarre shirts for a stairwalk...not sure how many flights of stairs they went up and down, but it was A LOT!!
UP UP UP
Another shot of the great students at Homestead High School, one of the most caring and amazing schools around!
My buddies from Eau Claire also set up a great 3 on 3 hockey event at Hobbs Ice Arena. My friends switched off wearing the Navarre jersey.
One of the hardest parts of this has been missing my friends weddings. So hard not to be there with them when they stood by me. However, they did remember to get a Navarre shirt in on the action. I hope it had a beer!
Finally, whats it all about? Getting healthy so that I can watch my baby girl grow up. Even she showed me some love with her one-sie.
THANK YOU EVERYONE....I love you all so much....my family can never repay you all.
Tony
Futbol vs. Football game at Homestead High School. Kids did an amazing job organizing it!
For some reason my buddy Brent always has a decent picture of me up on his wall, along with his parents and many other members of the Eau Claire community, they put on an awesome event at Happy Hollow in EC.
The HHS students are amazing wherever they may be!
Catfish will be back at the Rubber Classic Golf Event in Antigo as soon as possible!!!
A big thanks to Ernie for setting up Operation Wish Lantern in Mequon. Beautiful!
So cool!!
Another great picture of the event in Eau Claire at Happy Hollow.
The soccer teams in Eau Claire (North and Memorial) put on a great game, all dressed in orange, the Leukemia color and decorated the field with orange ribbons, jerseys, and shirts!
The Navarre Game shirt has made it all the way to Isreal on the back of an awesome student!
More great students and players! HHS is a wonderful place to be!
The family gathered at the EC Memorial North game. Looking good!
The Bracelets were a very cool idea, it is great to see them pop up in pictures all over!
Winnie Underhill is all set for the Navarre Walk in Green Bay tomorrow, fittingly, about the same time that I will be getting my donor cells!! Awesome.
Thane and Nick made sure Navarre got to a Packer game this year...one of the first times I will be unable to physically see Da' Packers play in probably more than a decade. Thanks guys!
My friends in MN put on the Navarre shirts for a stairwalk...not sure how many flights of stairs they went up and down, but it was A LOT!!
UP UP UP
Another shot of the great students at Homestead High School, one of the most caring and amazing schools around!
My buddies from Eau Claire also set up a great 3 on 3 hockey event at Hobbs Ice Arena. My friends switched off wearing the Navarre jersey.
One of the hardest parts of this has been missing my friends weddings. So hard not to be there with them when they stood by me. However, they did remember to get a Navarre shirt in on the action. I hope it had a beer!
Finally, whats it all about? Getting healthy so that I can watch my baby girl grow up. Even she showed me some love with her one-sie.THANK YOU EVERYONE....I love you all so much....my family can never repay you all.
Tony
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Day --1
You may or may not notice the double negative in front of the one...now, to you math people, that means it is positive one...but in this case you would be wrong.
Some of you may know that I am getting unrelated donor cells from someone in Europe. The bone marrow cells must be fresh and the cells will not be getting to Froedtert until very late on Friday night ... so in this case, the -- in front of the 1 in the title means an extended -1 day. My actual infusion of bone marrow cells will now be early Saturday morning. My transplant doctor is the attending for the next 12 days (AWESOME) so I will be getting all of the info straight from the horses mouth.
Today was a mostly good day, a little sick from the chemo, nothing bad. Some tired feelings and one little dizzy spell that I had to take a seat to get things back together. Due to the dizzy spell I am getting orthostatic vitals (blood pressure: laying down, sitting down, standing, finger stick, temperature, and heart rates and SPO2) I did walk about 2 miles today and that felt good. They are keeping a close eye on my blood sugar due to the drugs I am taking, soooo more shots, insulin and finger pricks. (Stop laughing Coach Walther) I am now the walking bio-hazard. Going to order something light for dinner, and hopefully get a good nights sleep.
Love you all....Saturday morning it is!!!
Tony
Some of you may know that I am getting unrelated donor cells from someone in Europe. The bone marrow cells must be fresh and the cells will not be getting to Froedtert until very late on Friday night ... so in this case, the -- in front of the 1 in the title means an extended -1 day. My actual infusion of bone marrow cells will now be early Saturday morning. My transplant doctor is the attending for the next 12 days (AWESOME) so I will be getting all of the info straight from the horses mouth.
Today was a mostly good day, a little sick from the chemo, nothing bad. Some tired feelings and one little dizzy spell that I had to take a seat to get things back together. Due to the dizzy spell I am getting orthostatic vitals (blood pressure: laying down, sitting down, standing, finger stick, temperature, and heart rates and SPO2) I did walk about 2 miles today and that felt good. They are keeping a close eye on my blood sugar due to the drugs I am taking, soooo more shots, insulin and finger pricks. (Stop laughing Coach Walther) I am now the walking bio-hazard. Going to order something light for dinner, and hopefully get a good nights sleep.
Love you all....Saturday morning it is!!!
Tony
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