You down with ATG... Yeah you know me!

*if you have never heard of Naughty by Nature, you will NOT get that title. Sorry. I played O.P.P. for Jer, and even HE knew the song. Get with it. *

From Thursday to Sunday, my Dad was receiving both types of chemo drugs. Up until Sunday, once the day’s treatments were completed, my Dad was allowed to go home on an overnight pass. It was great to have him home at night; allowing him to sleep in his own bed and enjoy all the conveniences home has to offer (ie. food that tastes like real food, and a television that was made in this decade).

Yesterday, in addition to chemo, my Dad received his first dose of ATG (antithymocyte globulin). ATG is an immunosuppressant drug, one that lowers the body’s immune response. ATG is used as an anti-rejection drug for stem cell transplant patients, with the hopes it will allow the bone marrow to grow and make new blood cells. Patients are unable to leave the hospital once they begin taking this drug, as it comes with many possible side effects that the medical team must closely monitor. So, Jer is back to adult sleepovers at Hotel du Foothills.

‘Fun fact’: the medical team calls ATG, the rabbit drug… because it is made from rabbits. I was wondering why my Dad had begun to do the Bunny Hop to the bathroom. Now I know why.

Today is Monday, or as people around here would call it, Day minus 1. This morning my Dad underwent total body radiation, and is currently receiving ATG. Later this afternoon, he will go in for his second, and last, dose of total body radiation.

If you didn’t catch it…Sunday was our last day of chemo… hopefully…forever!!!

Tomorrow is Day 0… TRANSPLANT DAY!