December 30, 2008 11:15 PM

Late entry today - been working on a jigsaw puzzle with my wife and watching a movie. Exciting life isn't it! Though we did have some last minute visitors today and that was very refreshing as it breaks up the day and also helps to keep me informed as to what's going on in my friends lives.

As expected, we heard from Dana-Farber today concerning the bone marrow transplant. They are aiming for an early February date. That's fine with me because the earlier it begins the earlier it concludes. However, before we can commence with it, I must undergo an extensive battery of tests - not only for the doctors but also for the beloved insurance company. These tests must be done in Boston within 42 days of the transplant.

Dana Farber has been super in trying to schedule this testing as they are dovetailing the testing in with my weekly Friday visits. So, after my blood results are known and we wait the several hours while the appropriate refill items are being ordered, I will have this testing done. So Fridays will accomplish two things - keep me in maintenance mode and also ramp me up for the transplant - they're going to be busy days.

Now the testing that they want done consists of all kinds of blood tests, chest x-rays, echocardiograms, and a bunch of others that I never heard of. According to the person that called, the insurance company would also like to have a colonoscopy done as well. Kind of hard to figure out why but it sets the stage such that I won't be surprised if they also ask for a pregnancy test.

I want to offer a special thanks to my coworkers at Nortel for the Christmas card that they so kindly made(thanks Beth) and signed for encouraging and supportive messages. This is the second time that they have done this and it really brightens my day to know that in spite of all the things that are going there, they still take the time to think of me. It is still rather humbling and much appreciated.

Thanks again to all you for your support.

Bob