Here we go again . . .

Steve has settled into room 470 at Maine General in Augusta. It's a a very different scene here than on the bone marrow transplant/oncology pod at the Brigham and Women's Hospital where it was pretty stressful -- sick patients, freaked-out families, like us. 

Of course things are different this time -- Steve isn't acutely ill and we've had a month to adjust to dealing with leukemia. We are less stressed, maybe. 

But not only that, in the Augusta hospital it's quieter, and the sun actually reaches inside Steve's room. Outside there are only a few cars that go by, unlike the war-zone feel of Brigham Circle with a constant stream of ambulances, police cars, fire engines, and the occasional helicopter. I don't miss it, except for opportunity to drink the good draft beer at the local pubs with my family and friends from around Boston. But really, it feels so good to be home. 

From Steve: 

"My room is quiet and nice.....so far so good. I had a lobster roll for lunch! It's on the menu here. Gina is bringing spicy Pad Thai from the Thai restaurant tonight.

The pump is almost finished with the first dose....not sure when the side effects will begin. Nausea and lack of appetite are high on the list so I am eating a lot while I have an appetite."

As he said, so far so good. It is more than a little scary to be starting this high dose chemo again and wondering and worrying about side effects and complications. Steve was practically a poster child with the way he tolerated the treatment last month, according to his doctors. Hopefully he can maintain this coveted position! I'll keep you posted . . .