Today I spent many hours in the clinic. Blood tests, 4-hours of IV hydration as well as an IV antifungal drug, followed by the main event of the day.Total Body Irradiation.

I was in the radiation chamber for one hour. The best analogy I can share with you of the experience is that I felt like I was a rotisserie chicken. They started by placing all kinds of radiation monitors around my person, to make sure the right doses where delivered to the right places.

They turned me onto my left side and from across the room came a buzzing sound and a light. I thought it was an Austin Powers movie with a laser beam. The radiation treatment started at my front side beginning with my head and slowly worked its way down to my toes. Then they turned me around, actually they turned the stretcher bed around, and the same buzz and beam went head to toe on my backside.

When it was over, I asked if I was glowing. The answer back was that they know the patient is done when they begin to turn green like the Hulk.

So I am prepped and ready. My brother is now in the batter’s box and I will be waiting in the ondeck circle. We have not had the exact timing confirmed although were told that tomorrow I will be admitted to the hospital at 8pm. That tells us that the infusion of the new cells will most likely occur between 10pm and midnight. If that happens, my new birthday will be on May 31. Mark your calendars for a party one year from tomorrow.

Larry and Sharon