A rough first night at NMH

Thu 9/8.
I spoke with Daniella at 8:30am. She spent the night at NMH with Stefan, in his room. She said they both had a pretty crappy night. The staff was poking him all night long, and of course, everytime someone came in to do something, Daniella was up too. The longest period of "sleep" they got was from 6 to 6:35 this morning.

Stefan received 2 units of blood overnight. The NMH staff ran the full work-up for their own records - everything from blood work to a chest xray. They are planning on doing another bone marrow biopsy this afternoon. I do not know if NMH received the results of the biopsy they did at Resurrection, or why they need to do another biopsy. I'm telling you what I know. Daniella also told me that they plan on starting chemotherapy this afternoon. I don't know if that's based solely on the results of the first biopsy, or if they will amend the treatment after the results from the second biopsy come in.

Daniella has said that she does not want to leave her van downtown, as it costs over $30 a day. She also needs to go home and get some things, so when she goes home later this morning, I will pick her up at home and take her to the hospital. She said she plans on staying with him as often as she can, and does not need to sleep at home for the next few days. Steve and I, and other family members, will be able to take her home for needed things and drive her back to the hospital. I don't see that being a problem, since I'm going there anyway - why should she pay $300/week for her van to sit in the parking lot, just so she could use it for 2 hours every 3 or 4 days???

So, that is where we stand right now. A rough night for Stefan, and a rough day ahead of him. The first of many, too, I'm sure. I will go get Daniella and then visit Stefan for a while. I need to be back to get the girls from school, so I will post another update between 3 and 4pm today.

I will also get the hospital information for Stefan - room number and address - so you can send him mail if you'd like. I will find out if he is allowed to take calls in his room, and whether he wants to do so at this point in time.

Thank you all for your support, through email, phone calls, and visits. There aren't words enough to describe how much it means to us all. Thank you. -SMK