Sorry it has been so long since I have posted. The transfusions went well last week. I was in the day surgery area of the hospital for seven hours. The transfusions took six hours and you are required to stay an extra hour so they can check you and make sure you are doing well. I appreciate this because there have been times when I needed this period to make sure all has gone well.

On Monday the 16th, we went to see Dr. Stroman, the doctor who will install the AVF Arteriovenous Fistula or AVG Arteriovenous Graft. He said he does a different method that uses my veins and arteries and does not involve any plastic tubing. He said it cuts down on infections and lasts longer with fewer problems. He will order a sonogram of my arm and will determine the best area for the placement. When we told him about my platelet numbers, he said he would not do the surgery until those numbers come up. He said it is not an emergency and we have time to wait until my numbers are better. If things change, he will order units of platelets one day and do the surgery the next day.

June 22nd will mark four months since I received my stem cells back and this is the normal period of time it takes for them to become active. It will be wonderful if mine mature and take on their task by that time.

I am continuing with dialysis on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week. I still hope that as things get better, I can come off dialysis in the future. There are some great people who go to the dialysis center and they have accepted me into their “family” with open arms. A common problem makes for good friends.