MY SPACE...THE CARE GIVERS CORNER

  Thankfully I was allowed to stay in Guy's room for the length of his stay.  My cot was
   in a corner where I felt safe.  No one could sit on me or accidentally give me a shot.  Actually once that almost happened.  Guy and I were taking a nap together in his bed when he woke up before I did. So he slipped out for a brief walk in the hall with his IV pole.  A new nurse was on the floor that day to give Guy a shot and saw my hair  sticking out from under the covers.  Voices woke me up asking, "Who is this, is this Mr Powers?  If so, where is his IV pole?"  Every patient was tethered to an IV pole.

  We'll talk about the IV poles later.

EPIDEMIC PROTOCOL

                                THE FLU OUTBREAK REQUIRED EPIDEMIC PROTOCAL             
                                           

   

                          The  Flu out break on the Fourth Floor required everyone to wear mask, gloves and surgical gown at all times.  I caught the flu and had to leave the hospital.  When I was allowed to return Guy couldn't recognize me.   Everyone on the floor looked alike.

NECESSARY SEPARATION

FLU ON THE FOURTH FLOOR

   Flu broke out on the Transplant floor. It was a serious situation for all.  Guy caught the flu that went into pneumonia and so did I.   Doctor Who sent me home until I was well.  It was several weeks before I was allowed back on the fourth floor.  So all Guy and I could do was cough on the phone at each other.

THE HOSPITAL VISIT

                                      THE GRAND CHILDREN CAME FOR A VISIT
   Due to the risk of infection Guy was not allowed to see the grandchildren for several months.  Finally Doctor Who gave  permission for the children to visit but every one had to wear a mask.  The children took on the appearance of Ninja Turtles.  They couldn't really SEE each other but they all enjoyed their visit.

OUR NEW FRIEND

                                                Larry was our first friend on the Transplant floor.

Larry was the first of many patience we would become close to on our stemcell transplant journey.  Larry fought in Vietnam and now he was fighting a different war.  The little print gown and knit beanie did not distract from this seasoned warrior and his determination to win.

MOVING BACK IN

Guy would be sent home for a couple of days every few weeks  for several reasons.  Insurance requirements, rotating in another patient, etc.  Each time we had to move all our stuff home and then haul all our stuff  back into the hospital and even register all over again.  Each time we returned we were assigned  a different room.  Over the ten months I think we stayed in almost every room.
                    
  Needless to say we moved back and forth several times. IN and OUT / IN and OUT / IN and OUT!

MEDS MEDS MEDS

During the transplant process  Dr. Who would send us home for a few days for a rest  and to start a new patient on the floor.   Each day that Guy was at home we had to drive fifty miles back to the Cancer Center as an out patient for blood test, transfusions and infusions, etc.  It was anything but rest.
While at home I was in charge of his medications. In this drawing it may look like we are playing chess (we wish) but we are trying to decide which pill to take next.  Guy actually had well over twenty medications.