Thursday +1

Today was another Summer/Spring day in Rochester. I think the temperature got up to around 80 degrees. The grass is starting to green up and there are buds on the trees. Of course they tell us a snow storm is still possible. Hard to believe!

Jackie did well this morning. After the doctor's appointments she actually felt like taking a drive. We drove to a local pancake house and had breakfast.

Unfortunately this afternoon did not go as well. She was in bed all day and felt terrible. The transplant center called and decreased (again) the meds that make her sick. It is the Cyclosporine (CSP) that makes her ill. It can be given by IV but it takes 4 hours. I also (with the approval of the docs) began giving her a stronger anti-nausea med. She responded well and is actually up and around this evening watching TV. This seems to be the cycle...if you get behind the curve in responding to the nausea it takes a long time to recover.

She isn't eating much. I went to the grocery store (again) and bought everything that she ever ate in her life that she thought tasted good. I bought a 4 pound tub of cherry Twizzlers! She hasn't eaten one yet. She won't even give consideration to a Reeses Cup.

The nurses warned today that as her counts drop and the chemo and radiation continue to kick in she will feel worse. They told us that four transplant patients were admitted yesterday. They were +4, +5 +5, and +6. So I wouldn't be too surprised to see her get to the same point over the next 4-8 days. The good thing is that going in-patient is no big deal. No paperwork, no calls to the doctor - nothing. You just show up at desk "94" and say I want to stay here. It truly is easier than getting a room at any motel! In this case the room is clean, the TV and movies are better (they have movies on demand), and the guy at the front desk is much friendlier. Breakfast in bed is always available. All the rooms are private.

I've said this before, everyone should consider coming here if a serious problem should arise. It truly is medicine as it should be!

Bruce and Jackie
from Rochester, MN