
In some ways the delay in the transplant is a blessing because it gives time for Chris to build strength and for us both to prepare in other ways. However having a timeline with a goal of transplant in May gave us a definitive goal to prepare for, and not knowing when a transplant might happen brings with to the forefront the ever present feeling of uncertainty for the future. We were hoping to proceed with collection, but even that is on hold for the time being.
The past few weeks I've been practicing another skill very similar to making a mummy. Excess fluid has been building up in his legs. It was probably held at bay by the fact during dialysis they would usually pull off about 3-4 liters each session. Without dialysis the swelling escalated quickly. Using compression socks and short stretch bandages I wrap him up. The tissue in his legs is finally starting to return to a normal color. Gravity however works against us and so it's a constant battle to try and keep him wrapped.

Something that I haven't mentioned much is his eye. At the end of last summer Chris's right eye quit moving to the right and eventually up and down. It was this that led us into the ICU to change his trach and the kidney failure was discovered and then the myeloma diagnosis. With so much else going, the issues with his eye got pushed to a back burner. He's learned to adapt to the wonky vision and the accompanying headaches. About a month ago in a doctors appointment I noticed that his eye had improved and was moving, not just up and down but even to the right. It has continued to improve and although not 100% better, the double vision is much improved. Whether a complication from the extremely high blood pressure from the kidney failure, or a weird side effect of the myeloma we are so glad that this is something that has improved.
We both have really been enjoying the olympics, so it's fitting to include it with our blog this week. It's wonderful to have something exciting to watch late a night when we can't sleep and hearing the stories of what the athletes did to get there is inspiring. Staying up late at night to watch the women's USA hockey team win the gold (not normally a sport we follow) was exhilarating. Perhaps we should also focus on a lesson to be learned. Just like the olympics, the journey to the finish line is not a quick or easy. There's a lot of blood, sweat, tears and pain in the process. As well, there's a lot of unseen people in the background praying for and cheering on the athlete and hoping for a gold medal finish.
