Day 0

Today is Day 0, Stem Cell transplant day and the first day of recovery. They started the stem cell transfusion at 10am this morning and it didn't take long at all, just about 30 minutes. Everything went fine, no big deal, just like they said. The stem cells are just in a regular IV bag and they run them into him just like anything else. The stem cells are this reddish, salmony color and they are super cold, like freezing cold. They are so cold that they cause this sort of tickle and cough in the back of your throat. But supposedly they are doing a study right now that sucking and eating and smelling oranges doesn't cause that side effect. So, Donnie ate his orange and low and behold no weird side effects for Donnie. He was perfectly fine {just really tired from the benadryl}. He never felt the tickle or anything. Everything went great today, Last night was a differnt story though haha. Last night after I left, Donnie started to have a rough time. He was getting very nauseous and dry heaving every time they would change his bag or give something to him in his IV. Which happens 5 to 6 times a night. So, he had a really hard time sleeping. And on top of that, he's still is on a heart monitor and a IV bag for low blood pressure. They decreased it yesterday when I was here but I guess when I left his blood pressure started to go down again, so they had to bump his dose back up. They are suppose to take him off it completely in a little bit because his blood pressure seems to be staying stable but we'll see. He's been sleeping most of the morning and hopefully catches up on what he lost last night!
Today, is my last day at the hospital till Sunday. I'm going to go home for a couple days and be with the kids. It's pretty bittersweet for me. I wish that I could just be here with Don, everyday and not ever leave but I miss the kids. I miss them terribly. I have never wanted to get home so bad. I miss doing all the mom stuff; dishes, bedtime, reading books, taking Brody to school, making brakfast, lunch and dinner. I know it sounds crazy but I just miss all the little stuff. I just can't wait to see their little smiling faces. We Skype them evryday but it just isn't the same. I already feel like Brody got a little bit older and Mia's hair is a little bit longer. I think the hardest thing through all of this is missing my kids. Feeling like I'm missing a little piece of their life I won't get back. I'm sure that I miss them more then they miss me because they are just having fun with Grandma, but I guess it's just a mom thing :) Anyway, you probably won't be hearing from me for a few days because I will be enjoying the next 3 days with my Brody and Mia! Be back on Sunday :)