Code Blue in our home

By ANDI CARL

The first word that comes to mind is "scary." Once, George passed out in the Kaiser Infusion Center when a nurse was taking blood.

We were the "code blue" on the loudspeaker, and I couldn't believe it was us! We ended up in the emergency room, with George receiving oxygen and antibiotics.

On a different occasion, when he was at home resting, I came back from a swim and found him delirious and hot with fever.

A 911 call immediately brought paramedics to the rescue and another night in the emergency room.

Since then, I've purchased a yoga mat for long nights in emergency rooms.

George's recovery from those two incidents was a miracle to me.

Scary at the time, yes. But those times have made me stronger, and George is an amazing patient who seems able to take just about any amount of treatment, some of which is most unpleasant.

It is a tribute to him that we are still blessed with his presence. If it were me, I doubt I'd still be around.

All of George's doctors and the emergency crews who have helped us out have been terrific. We are both so grateful for the Vallejo Kaiser-Permanente doctors and nurses who have helped George out. Then there is his whole extensive family and friend network, an amazing support group for both of us.

And now for the next step, the bone marrow transplant and lengthy stay at Stanford. Cancer Center.

We are definitely a bit nervous for this one because the low immunity phase lasts 100 days, not just seven. But we remain upbeat and positive because my amazing husband has already survived so much, plus we'll be in the best hands ever at Stanford.

I just hope I can be a good nurse and am learning as much as I can about all of the side effects and exactly what George will be going through.

Andi Carl is the wife of Register outdoors columnist George Carl who is battling leukemia and going through a bone marrow transplant.

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