Phil's Vacation: Day +10

I still have not engrafted, which means my Absolute Neutrophil count has not been at 0.5 or higher for two consecutive days. The nurse I had a bet going on on which day I would engraft and it looks like we are both going to lose. My hope is that today my ANC appears in my blood work. I actually started feeling bone pain (lower back) from the Neupogen shots which I felt to during stem cell collection, but not during my first transplant. I take this as a good sign and every time I feel the pain, I am going to envision fireworks going off in my bones because the Myeloma is dead, the old has gone and the new has some!

So rejoice and be glad in this day with me as we remember how awesome it is to live in a country with so much freedom. I may be the first generation of Brabbs' to not fight in a war going all the way back to my Great Grapa George. So this country, with it's flaws, has come a long long way. Let the bell of Freedom ring.

Phil's Vacation: Day 0

There were a lot of great things that happened today and also some strange things. First, we reached our goal of 5,000 fans on our Cancer Kicker Facebook page before my transplant...hooray! Secondly, USA beat Algeria. I think you can give credit to Jamie and Daniel below who sported their Dominate bracelets at the game in South Africa. Lastly, I got my 4.5 Million baby stem cells back!

As for the strange things, Ann Arbor got hit by an earthquake tremor and a tornado. I slept through the earthquake, but unfortunately for the tornado warning all the patients had to take cover in the hallway...I had to tape this (watch).

The day in review went like this:

• woke up at 6am
• watched Sports Center
• ate breakfast
• Cassie and Ruby visit
• dominated Stem Cell Transplant
• ate lunch
• slept
• ate dinner
• sat in the hallway due to tornado warning

Here's the video recap for Day 0.