January 30, 2009 11:30 PM

Well, I did not here from the doctor concerning my bone marrow biopsy results today either. I guess until I do(will I ever?), I have to assume that no news is good news. If the results were not what they wanted to see - full remission - then active steps would have to be taken to once again get me to that state before the transplant could occur. Given the fact that we are looking at February 11th to kick off the transplant process, in my estimation something would have to be done immediately. Since the hospital follows my progress rather diligently - and I have heard nothing - I will assume that there is nothing to be concerned about.

It was great to not have to travel to Boston today. I am going to be spoiled for the remaining week and a half by having no doctors appointments scheduled and by being able to take advantage of some activities outside the house - most notably movies and restaurants. Of course, all this comes to a screeching halt on the 11th for approximately a year.

I must admit that I do possess a level of fear and trepidation about the bone marrow transplant process just as I did about the chemotherapy process. The unknown can do that to you. And, of course, the transplant process is entirely different from chemotherapy process especially as it relates to the immuno-suppressant drugs that I will have to take and how my body will react to them. Fortunately for me, I do not have a tale of woe leading up to now and I fully expect that my good fortune will continue through the next phase as well. I have been exceedingly blessed!

The good news is that this whole journey is geared around the transplant and, once that occurs, the remainder of the trek is "just" the recovery phase. No more chemo, probably no more bone marrow biopsies - just an effort to keep me on the proper road to recovery. Life won't necessarily be easy - but there is a huge team behind me to make it as easy as possible. The doctors and staff at Dana-Farber and each of you. Your collective support keeps me going.

As an aside, having shaved 2 days ago, it looks like I have to shave again. So I guess that hair restoration is on the way. They tell me that it looks like the hair on the back of my head is also starting to return. I assume that the mild chemo that I get starting on the 11th will not interfere with my hair growth, so I look to be getting back to normal in the next month or so. Is this faster or slower than "normal" - I have no idea!

So much for today. Let's see what tomorrow brings!

Bob