“I hope I’m not disappointed tomorrow,” Dave said.

“Well honey, you can’t rush your counts,” I responded.

“No, not me – Michigan,” he said. “I hope that Michigan wins.”

This was our conversation this afternoon as we were walking the tenth floor. I was assuming that he was focusing on engraftment as he was willing his counts to rise in order to see improvement. It was a relief to know that his focus was to anticipate a big win for Michigan football against the arch-rival Spartans.

The nurses told us that Days 5-10 would be the worst on his body. That has held truer than you can imagine. Counts are very low, requiring platelet and red blood transfusions. The mornings are the most difficult, with pain levels reaching a point that require controlled meds. Because of restless nights, he has finally resorted to resting in the afternoons. That hour of sleep is better than any medicine. We are on Day 9, and this afternoon, Dave was willing to put in a mile walk. It is the first time since the BMT that I have seen some giddy-up in his step, which makes me feel that we are turning the proverbial corner. As Dr. Maggie put it, “You are now rounding second.” I will certainly broadcast when he makes the head-first slide into third.