Wednesday +35 (10:45 PM) Taste Returns

We just got back to the apartment after the evening IV Ganciclovir treatment. Even though Jackie is on an out-patient status it still requires a lot of hospital time. We arrive at the hospital every morning at 8:30 AM. Today we got out at about 11:45. We returned tonight at 8:00 PM and we returned at 10:00.

It is amazing, but within the last 48 hours Jackie's sense of taste has begun to return. Her nausea has lessened a great deal. She is reporting about a 60% return to normal for taste. She now says "that tastes normal" to quite a few things. Today she actually ate a smoked chicken with cheese and mayo sandwich. I purchased a bunch of Pringles in different flavors. She says a lot of them taste normal. I think within a couple of days she will never want to see another Boost or Ensure chocolate flavored drink ever again. She has lived on these for the last month. It has been about the only thing she could tolerate.

She is also taking fewer pills. There are still a LOT, but down substantially from a month ago. I think this helps. It would be impossible to determine the chemical interactions that might occur when this many substances are being consumed. She still continues to be shaky. This is likely still being caused by the Cyclosporine which has been reduced again. Her palsy is better, but not completely gone.

In spite of her lowered counts she continues to have a descent energy level. I think part of this is due to the lessening of her nausea. I think as she begins to eat and drink more this will improve the energy level. She didn't do any treadmill or stationary bicycle today, but she thought about it! Instead she paid a few bills and did a little laundry.

Until later,

Bruce and Jackie
From Rochester, MN