Elevators and Hallways

The Rat Maze

Things have been pretty uneventful since Pam was admitted on Monday.  We are getting acclimated to her new surroundings, and falling into a new routine. I have gotten lost on the OHSU campus, hereafter known as the Rat Maze, about 7 times in 2 days.  If I were a real rat in a real rat maze, I would be starving for lack of food pellets. (A little Behavioral Psychology joke there.)  The Rat Maze is an amazing place. I have never seen such an odd collection of old and new buildings perched on the top of a hill connected with skybridges. One of Pam's transporters told us that the only people who really know the Rat Maze are the transport team and the mail deliverers.

Yesterday, I ended up on an elevator with a mother on a gurney and her newborn baby. (I mean REAL newborn.)  The nurse rolled them onto the elevator, looked at me with disgust, and informed me I was on the wrong elevator. I already figured that out when I saw her roll the mom and baby in. I was embarassed and started to explain that I am a little geographically challenged and that I was still getting oriented to the Rat Maze and that I grew up in a place with no elevators at all within 72 miles, so I am easily confused.  Then I decided that would sound lame because I should know how to work elevators and read signs by now. I said congratulations to Mom, because I didn't know what else to do.  She said "thanks".  It was awkward.  One of the baby's first experiences in life was being on an elevator with a lost man getting mean mugged by a nurse. Not a good start.

The BMT Unit

The bone marrow tranplant unit is very nice and modern. To get into the unit, you have to get buzzed in from the nurse's station, then wash your hands thoroughly at a hand washing station, then sign a document stating that you do not have any open sores, flu like symptoms, other communicable diseases and you have washed your hands.  To visit Pam, you have to wear a mask.  I don't have to wear a mask when I am with her... I guess they figure that I have already spread my germs to her.



Pam Talking with
Dulcimer Musician

The unit is huge... 11 laps around the unit is a mile, so my higher math tells me that a lap is about a tenth of a mile.  All of the patients are expected to walk if they are not in isolation.  It is a big deal.  Walking is good for a lot of things, and preventing pneumonia is one of them.  So, there is nearly always at least one patient, usually with their spouse, walking the halls wearing a mask. They have people coming into play soothing music and all kinds of other activities for the patients. This lady is a volunteer that plays some Native American flutes and some sort of dulcimer.  It was very pretty.

The Big Hall

The VA Bridge at Night
Pam and the Duck Bill
 

Bridge Between
OHSU and the VA

Pam's brother Mike and Sis in Law Sandra visited last night. After they left, we got permission to walk around outside the unit. I wanted to show Pam my mastery of the Rat Maze. We walked the hallway from OHSU to the VA Hospital, which is 1/8 of a mile. Pam had to wear a special "duck bill" mask to keep germs away. I think the theory is that the germs laugh themselves to death when they see it.

Starting Treatment

Onto the main topic of our saga.  Pam has started the regimen in preparation for the transplant: Allopurinol to protect her kidneys, ursediol for her liver, omeprazole for her stomach, and IV Micafungin that is an antifungal drug.  She will receive the Micafungin every day for about a week and will begin aggressive chemo with Fludarabine on Friday. The nurses are pushing her to drink at least 2 Liters of fluid a day, walk at least 3 times a day, stay out of bed, breathe deep, and eat. If she doesn't drink 2 Liters of fluid, she will get it by IV.  She has had two Total Body Irradiation (TBI) treatments so far and she hasn't had any side effects yet.  The tough days are coming soon.