T2

I'll just get right to the point today -

Terry is fatigued, nauseated, aching, has a headache, has chills on occasion, and bowel issues on occasion, his skin hurts to rub on it when changing or drying off from the shower, his hands and feet tingle, his mouth tingles and feels numb, and he is very shaky, oh, and he moves slowly.  He has a hard time taking some of the medicines some of the time, and today he threw up after he coughed a bit this afternoon, but that was the first time he'd thrown up since Friday night and we are hoping that it won't happen too often.

I could have missed something, but I'm trying to think of the things we discussed during our clinic visit today. 

Other than that, he feels okay!  Right! ;)

We will have blood drawn and tested daily to keep current on what is happening with his system.
Today platelets are at 18.  That is not surprising to them, but if it gets to 10 they will give him an infusion of platelets.   (I am trying to remember, but I think normal is about 150-400.)   He will also have hydration daily so we are really happy that we can do that at home/apartment.  (Yay for the Hickman Line.)

We didn't talk about any other blood counts, but they are certainly not normal and won't be for awhile.  We are confident that the team will take care of him.  Have I mentioned that they call the group of doctors and nurses and coordinators, etc. that work with us a team?  There are several teams in the clinic and we are on the tan team for this transplant.  The next couple weeks are critical and we are to do our best to stay away from groups of people and anyone who is sick.  He won't be able to handle it right now.  

We went to the clinic twice today but it was a chilly day and Terry wasn't up to walking especially in the cold.  So we took the shuttle to the clinic both times, and back to the apartment this evening.  But this morning we walked home in a little bit of sunshine after the blood draw.  It was so much better to be going thru transplant in Seattle in the summer when it was not so cold.  We won't be able to walk as often as we'd like because we can't chance getting chilled and sick.


Okay, on the lighter side -
I am going to have to slow down a bit or I'm gonna lose Terry when we walk.  I have noticed the last couple days that I just get up and go like normal and turn around a few steps later to see that Terry is still several steps behind me.  I am aware of it and I'm trying.  I had just mentioned that to the team and then as we were walking down the hall after leaving the room I turned the corner and turned around to talk to Terry and he was no where to be seen.  A couple seconds later he came around the corner and I had to laugh at myself again.  I really need to watch that!  Maybe if I say it out loud enough I'll remember it. SLOW DOWN!  He has every right to go slow right now, and I've gotta not push him or make him feel like he needs to keep up. 

I decided to get that puzzle done and send it back to the lobby cupboard.  It was missing 5 pieces.  It's very pretty though.  I'd love a garden just like it.

I think I'll start working on scrapbooking now.  I also decided to change the scrapbooking area today because I needed to have more room on the dining table for the laptop since I couldn't keep it on the scrapbooking table anymore.  So, here is the change.

From the scrapbooking in the dining area, when we first moved in
To the dining table in the dining room

 



And from the living room as it was when we moved in
To the scrapbooking area moved into the living room

The living room is a little more filled this way, but with just the two of us it's not a problem.  Each way has it's pros and cons, but as we walked in this evening after our clinic visit I looked down the hall and felt a more comfortable feeling ..., more like home.

We used to see the table, but now we see the sofa.

Not a big difference in the camera, but it was a big difference in how I felt when I walked in, and that is good.

Okay, I've said enough for the day.  We hope all is well for you and yours.