This page will describe our approach to our Bone Marrow Transplant adventure.   Many people have asked what they can do to support us.  This page should reassure folks by describing the support already in place, which is no small amount.

While in the transplant unit, there are no drop-ins allowed.  If we have not arranged for you to visit, do not stop by the transplant unit.  There is definitely no flowers or organic gifts allowed.

Diversions we already have for Christian while in isolation:

Contacts:

Please do not call Karen or I at our house or at the BMT unit, unless you would like to leave a message and do not expect a response.  We have voice messaging from US West and will be able to pickup messages from anywhere.  We may grow very tired of answering the same questions and will appreciate a respit from the hospital while we are home.

Hospital coverage of Christian:

I (John) am taking a Family Leave of Absence from Honeywell during the transplant.   Honeywell has supplied me with laptop and internet access to the Honeywell Intranet.  Any time I can put in from either the unit or home I will be paid for, otherwise I do not have to worry about providing anything to Honeywell.  My tasks have been reassigned such that nothing I am working on will affect critical projects during this time.  In other words, Honeywell has graciously accepted the role of "far from top priority" so that I am under no pressure from work and my top priority is Christian, Anders, Karen and myself.

During the early portion of our stay, while Christian is not in pain, Karen, I and Uncle Christopher will tag team on staying overnight.  The emphasis during this time will be to get Karen (and me) frequent periods of eight hours of sleep.  When Christian's pain is obvious but under control, Karen and I will tag team.  When Christian's pain becomes uncontrollable (pray that it does not) it can be anticipated that he will want Karen there 24 hrs a day.  When Christian is in critical condition, Uncle Christopher and Granny M will tag team as being a second adult at home, so the at-home parent can get to the unit day or night and know Anders will be in good hands.

Uncle Christopher will be acting as a third parent during the times we need to restrict exposure to Christian.

Anders:

With John effectively off from work, we hope Anders can be at home during most of the summer.  Otherwise, Ander's extended family stands ready to take him whenever we deem necessary.  While at home there are several families on the block and several in the area that will provide Anders diversions during the day.  We have discussed this with the involved families already. 

Karen:

We will be all concentrating on keeping Karen as well rested as possible.

John:

My good friend Florian will be there to give me a challenge on the tennis court whenever I have time.

Warmy:

Christian's pet guinea pig will have daily outings with Karen, Anders, Uncle Christopher and Granny M.

Our House:

We have recently upgraded the monitored security system to include our garage.  If we are not able to be around, house security is not an issue.  Two neighbors know how to deal with the alarm system if it is triggered. Arrangements for biweekly housecleaning are still in question. We are open to recommendations.

Garden:

We have identified a couple of neighbors who will back us up on watering  porch plants.  Immanuel Lutheran Church will cover lawn mowing if we do not get to it.   Most of the garden will be heavily mulched, so that the weed issue should be in control.

Cars:

If we have a breakdown, the transplant unit is about three miles away.  In this case we will simply take a taxi.  Taking a taxi might actually be easier considering the parking situation at the University of Minnesota.

Finances:

Over the past three years most of our monthly bills have been switched over to automatic payments from either our checking account or a credit card.  In other words, except for a couple of monthly credit card payments, we can leave our finances unattended for months.  Due to generous contributions from family, church, individuals, Lutheran Brotherhood and others, along with increased personal savings for just this scenario, we prepared ourselves financially for what is described above.   Money is way down on the list of concerns.

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