Transplant soon...

We've entered the countdown to the moment when Susannah enters her reparative bubble: January 8th or 15th, depending on whether or not her bone marrow donor travels, like so many of us, over the holidays. In the waning days of the year come more details on that confinement, and also the Preparatory Appointments, which read something like a medicalized Twelve Days of Christmas (we believe it even scans):

24 tubes of blood drawn

1 tooth extracted

1 lung capacity

3 anesthesiologists

2 hematologists

2 oral surgeons

1 social worker

5 dental techs...

4 orderlies

3 RNs

2 physicals

and an echocardiogram.

Out of this grand list, in truth I am writing to ask that you please send your best post-wisdom tooth soft food suggestions.

And here are some additional details: until early January (and, in fact, beyond) you can send cards and letters to:

21 Woodbridge St., Apt. IL

S. Hadley, MA 01075

Once Susannah enters the hospital, she will NOT be checking email, possibly for several months. She will likely not be available by phone, either. Look for updates on this blog, and direct any emails or electronic photos, music, etc. via/cc'd to Ethan, trelevenfarm [AT] gmail.com.

While Susannah is is the hospital, mail (and CDs of your favorite music, for either relaxation, clear thinking, or both) can find us at:

Susannah McCandless

(Room number ... If you don't know the room, call 617-732-5164)

Brigham and Women's Hospital

75 Francis Street

Boston, MA 02115

-A friend has given us a Kindle electronic book reader, which stays in close communication with its parent company, Amazon, and downloads whole books in a single bound. You can suggest books or audiobooks (we hear reading may initially be too energetic!) we might enjoy via email. In a stunning marketing strategy, Amazon appears even to have invented gift cards: http://www.amazon.com/gp/gc/ref=g_gc-gc_dp_redirect.

-We have succumbed and subscribed to Netflix. Our wonderful independent video store is just too far away. Send your picks for film and television. Given the memory impairments that come with chemo, Susannah may be able to enjoy old chestnuts all over again.

-Again, send pictures or links to pictures of your life and times, and of beautiful and silly things in the world.

-While every transplant experience, and every doctor's prescribed regimen is different, if you want details on the nitty gritty of transplants, possible post-transplant challenges, and care, check out www.marrow.org, and the "patients and families" tab. The Cleveland Clinic also has a fairly in-depth set of short articles about different aspects of transplants at http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/Bone_Marrow_Transplantation/hic_Bone_Marrow_and_Transplantation.aspx