Feb 6, Day +10 You win some, you lose some

"Just the Facts"--  Finally got some sleep last night, pain increased significantly today, lost hair.

The new set up of self administering pain meds and sleeping pill at about 10:30 pm paved the way finally for a decent night sleep.  This was so overdue.  There wasn't any part of B's body that wasn't begging to have sleep.  So that was a good report this morning, but the second report was not as encouraging.  B called me to tell me to bring the scissors, as his hair was falling out.  We have had some discussions about this possibility.  Some said for sure it would, others said it would just thin out.  The problem is that when this begins to happen it is so annoying.  Hair tickling your face and can't get rid of it because there is always more coming down.  Hair falling in your food, your eyes, and then you shirt, pillow and bed.  Then there is the mental part of looking down and seeing your pillow covered with your hair.  B is a very neat person and this was just not going to be tolerated.  So got to the hospital at 10am with scissors in hand and started snipping away.  He was very weak and in a lot of pain, but didn't want me to stop until it was all done.  When it was all snipped short, we got the shaver and buzzed all the rest away.  He then showered and felt normal again except for that strange man he saw in the mirror.  He is looking very military!

The pain is increasing a bit and he is less able to walk.  It now seems to be penetrating his arms more.  If I were a detective I would determine that the pain is concentrated in all the larger bone areas.  I can't know for sure but this sounds right and it has been increasing since he started getting the rejuvenator shots.   The real test is the blood counts and waiting to see those increase.  Platelets are still very low, which is not a concern yet but the staff here is trying to do everything they can to keep them up.  They have begun to type cross the platelets to get better matching antigens.  If they find the right group that will take better and cause the platelets to increase.  But the real solution is for the new cells to start producing.  Right now they are just finding there way to the bone marrow to set up house.  They are trying to kick out the old stuff and it is a bit of a war, that is why so much pain.

The other issue going on is the result of the second Chemo cocktail given on day -4.  This was the chemo that attacks the fast recurring cells found in the mouth, esophagus, stomach and intestine.  The dead cells, called mucositis, slough off and get eliminated, but the process is fairly uncomfortable.  Eating becomes more difficult while this process in going on.  So far B's mouth is sore-free, but his throat is sore and stomach a bit uneasy.  So we have switched today to soft foods and lots of Popsicles!  B has always been funny, and now with the pain meds he is really funny.  The nursing staff is cracking up over him.  Also they said, they could not believe as a chemo patient he kept his hair so long!  Thank you all for the prayers and support.
Until next time,
Hopeful Believer.