[PaulS]

Hi Skip - the experience can be inspiring, humbling and sometimes fairly unpleasant, but ultimately uplifting - you can now start fighting to be cured and healthy! After only 150 days I feel remarkably better than before the transplant when my disease was taking a slow but steady toll on me for years. You sound like you're in a good frame of mind. Some random advice -

Can't thank your care givers enough - my nurses and doctors were great - my wife was amazing - they all appreciate being appreciated.

Keep everything as clean as possible - I limited visits to wife, kids and brother - and made sure they wash and wear gloves. Have disinfectant wipes to wipe down everything - table surfaces, remote controls, phones, handles - wash your hands frequently and use mouthwash to help avoid dry mouth and sores from chemo - keep your teeth clean. Take and enjoy showers - I initially hated them, but learned from this board to relax and find some pleasure in standing in the warm water - and the washing became a ritual that forced me to get out of bed and on with the day.
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Prepare where you'll be after the hospital and make sure its very clean and as disinfected as possible - nows the time to make any home repairs, fix or replace appliances - thorough clean and dust/ sanitize everything you can. I was a bit fanatical, but I found the cleanliness rituals comforting and likely very helpful.

Listen to music in the hospital - don't stop eating - even if its only rice crisps - take time to do and enjoy small tasks - taking showers, putting on lotion - they became little rituals for me and something to focus on

I found email and this board helped me stay connected to the outside world during five weeks of semi isolation in a hospital room.

Stay positive and believe you can overcome any setback.

Best wishes,
Paul