We’re less than three weeks from my admission to the hospital for my stem cell transplant. I spent much of the day yesterday at the medical center, signing papers, going over the schedule, and understanding more about the details of the recovery process.

And it is a long process. Many things I was nervous about are a bit easier to cope with now that I have more concrete details. I will, for instance, temporarily lose my hair from the chemo I’ll get at the start of the procedure. It’ll come back. Initially, this seemed like an unknown—maybe I would, maybe I wouldn’t. Now at least I know for sure.

Next week, I undergo another bone marrow biopsy. This is, mostly, a matter of confirming what they are already sure of—that is, that the MDS hasn’t progressed to a point that additional treatment is needed before the transplant can happen. I’m not looking forward to it, but they have assured me that this one will be performed differently than the first one I had. I will be heavily sedated and won’t remember any of it. That sounds great to me!

There’s a lot to do between now and admission. That’s probably the most overwhelming part right now.

In the coming weeks, especially when I’m in the hospital for the month of July, I hope to write more here on other topics than just my medical situation. The Masters of the Universe film was released, and I want to write a little on the film and MotU in general. I also have some other blog entries that I’ve really wanted to get to and just haven’t had time for. I can’t focus exclusively on my illness or the transplant; I need some topics to distract me as well. I hope you’ll continue along with me on this journey.