March 3, 2013

DAY +2, PART DOS

 

Hi, Pauline here.

T+2 and counting.  I'm here at the hospital with Boonie.  He's sleeping now.  The large amounts of drugs are wearing on him.  He said last night he didn't feel very well, and this UTI is a bit worrisome.

I just can't help myself; all I can think about is Frank Zappa singing "Why does it hurt when I peeeee?"   One of Boonie's favorite sing-along songs.

Now that Boonie is part female we are watching for changes.  So far, other than the UTI, (something all us ladies know all too well) he is talking more.  He is definitely more affectionate, more gracious, more "pleases" and "thank yous".   He commented he wanted to do laundry, but that was before the stem cells....maybe I will be able to get him to do all the house cleaning, except for the cat box...don't think Dr. S would approve.  I should start a list.

Now we just wait.  His blood counts dropped; the white count and the neutrophil counts both dropped by about 50%.  Heis headed for this nadir that I had not read anything about or recall being told about specifically.  Yes I knew his marrow would be killed by the chemo but I thought it would go to zero or near zero counts by day 0.  Instead, his blood cells are still living, but dying off as they reach the end of their life spans.  So far, he has not needed a blood transfusion.

This transplant procedure is an amazing thing.  I wonder what sort of mad scientist first thought, "What will happen if I kill someone's bone marrow and put someone else's cells in there?"  And who was the first person who said "Me first! Me first!".   That must have been one wild party they were going to or some mighty good drugs they were on to think this stuff up.  The image of Bill and Ted comes to mind...."like, wow dude, what if we could suck our bones dry, then refill them?"......yeah those must have been some really good drugs.

Never the less, we know that creativity comes from many sources, so Rock on Dudes,  whoever you were or still are.  Of course our Congress has cut off R&D money, so whatever fantastic epiphany is on the horizon has just got to wait.   Never mind curing cancer or diabetes, we got to have more ways to kill people, I mean really, what is most important here?  Enough of that.

There are not enough good things to say about how glad we are that we chose the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center for Boone's care.  The doctors and nurses and support staff are all top notch on the ball, hardworking, and caring people.  It is amazing.  The food is not normal hospital food either, always a plus.

I guess I've watched him sleep long enough now.  I think I'll take the critters to the country, for some R&R.

 

Good sleep my Prince.

XOXO