Now Booking: The Beautiful BMT Suites

Panoramic View from My Room--State Capitol Bldg in Background

Everything is just as Dr. Hunter Rhodes described it to me those months ago when I was deciding on a hospital for my bone marrow transplant. I have unpacked my bag and started to settle in for the long haul. My nurse, Michelle, told me that I will likely receive the high-dose chemotherapy later this afternoon, around 3 or 4 o’clock. One of the doctors on the bone marrow transplant (BMT) team whose name I didn't catch just covered the blood transfusion consent form with me and did a brief examination. He confirmed the high-dose chemo will be this afternoon. I’ll let you know what it’s like. Whatever may arise, he assured me there are medicines they can give me to help alleviate any discomfort.

In the meantime, I am going to give you my mailing address, in case you’d like to send something. I would love that!

Kelly Diaz

University of Oklahoma Medical Center

The Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Room #5128

700 N.E. 13th Street

Oklahoma City, OK 73104

There are two things conspicuously missing from the patient rooms: a clock and a phone, so I cannot receive calls directly to my room except on my personal cell phone. Although space is limited, I can decorate my room, but these things are prohibited: dried or live flowers, plants or moss. I can receive moss-free silk or other artificial plants, stuffed animals, and candy (I love Brach’s Double Dippers). Balloon bouquets are also encouraged, according to the Adult Patient Guide.

During my stay, I can have visitors. Dr. Selby told me about the beautiful views in the BMT unit. I have included some pictures of the views from my room. I have also included here a section of a form he gave me that covers the rules for visitors. They are a bit convoluted, and I understand they tend to change frequently, so if you would like to visit and have a question about it, please let me know. I’ll do my best to get an answer. I would certainly love to see you.

Nancy, RN and Transplant Coordinator, advised Shelly and me that the second week of the transplant process is generally the worst for the patient. Shelly is planning to try to stay with me a few days during that time. I am so blessed that she is not only my sister, she is also a registered nurse and knows how to take care of sick patients. It gives me a great deal of peace of mind to know I won’t potentially suffer through some of the most miserable days without someone there who cares for me. There will be other transplant patients with whom I can commiserate. Hair loss may be painless, but Dr. Selby told me some of the most common side effects of the high-dose chemotherapy are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; mouth sores; anemia and overall weakness; and difficulty eating and drinking. The upside is that I’ll probably drop the extra pounds I’ve gained over the past few months.

By the way, I have not published my phone number here because my blog is public, as I intended for it to be. But if you don’t have my phone number and would like to text or call now and then, please send me an email or leave a comment at the bottom of this post, and I will send you my phone number via email. (If you're not a site member, be sure to email me at ksdiaz@att.net.)

As always, thank you for your encouraging text messages, phone calls, and most of all, for reading my blog posts and leaving your heartfelt comments. It means so much more to me than I can express.