Tuesday +6 (10:30 PM)

Well, we only thought Jackie was sick a few days ago. Today was not a good day. She slept a good part of the day. When she wasn't asleep her fever was either going up or coming down. It is ranging from 101 to 103.6. They can only give her Tylenol every 4 hours. It is very effective at bringing her fever down - but only for a few hours. Then it starts rising again. At this point she gets uncontrollable shakes. They become so bad she cannot hold anything in her hand. The entire bed shakes. To stop the shakes they give her IV Demerol. The Demerol puts her back to sleep within 2-3 minutes. About 9:15PM she became sick and threw up for the first time.

The doctors and especially the nurses all say this is normal. The nurse this evening said that if this were not happening something would be abnormal. I suppose that is the good news.

Jackie has been very lucky in that she has not had major problems with her mouth and throat so far. Many of the patients get ulcers in their mouth or throat and cannot eat or drink. In Jackie's case she is drinking reasonably well. Food tastes like cardboard. Things could be worse.

Well, it is late. I'll update several times per day while she is in the hospital. I've had several people ask if it would be alright to call. At this point there are few times when she could take a phone call. I would ask that everyone hold their calls for a few days or so. I'll post when she is feeling better. As we all know she loves to talk on the phone so the most likely sign of her recovery will be that she wishes to place a few phone calls:)

Bruce and Jackie
From Rochester, MN