I checked into Mayo Clinic Hospital at 8:30 AM on September 27, 2017. I had my bags packed for what would be over a month stay. First thing I had to do before going to my room was get my central power line connected. Unlike a port, a central line is external. I had three lumens that went straight into a main blood vein near my neck. I was lucky enough to be “manscaped” by the Mayo Clinic nurses prior to the procedure. Took approximately an hour for them to take me back. Mild sedation and was awake during the entire process. They informed me the room was going to be cold, which it was, and I would be laying on the table that was no wider than an ironing board. After the procedure they took me to the room I would be in for the next several weeks. Not much happened on the first day besides getting acquainted with the nurses and doctors and getting a feel for the room.
Photo Credit: Rustic Moon Photography / Stephanie Crouch
Stephanie Crouch is the Owner and Creative Genius behind Rustic Moon Photography. She is also a very close friend of mine who I approached when I was first told by my doctor that I was going to need a Bone Marrow Transplant. I asked Stephanie if she would follow me along this journey and help document the major aspects of the transplant in hopes that one day someone in need of a transplant can use this story as a positive affirmation that everything is going to get better. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to be in my life and support me and my family in this journey.
Mike's Journey 