Side Effects and Powering Through!

Clif continues with a great attitude.

Today is Friday, the last bag of chemo finished its drip into Clifs body at 5pm Wednesday night 3/12/2014!  A bone marrow aspiration will be done in one week to determine if the Leukemia in the marrow is gone or reduced.

The side effects that he has been experiencing include;  nausea 24/7 (but drugs really help), rash over most of his body, lack of appetite although he is making himself eat, (the cherry popsicles that he has indulged himself breakfast, lunch and dinner no longer taste good) but he really likes the soups, the plumbing works with little problems and overall currently to date he is weathering the effects pretty well.

Part of this process also includes a low bacteria diet, basically anything in a can is your friend.  Fresh raw fruits and vegetables are a big no no.  All hot food needs to be eaten within 30 minutes or toss it.

Funny, preservatives are your friend when in a health circumstance like this.

With much gratitude, Thank You All as you continue to selflessly donate your platelets, blood and encouragement to routinely sustain Clif.  

The days are spent reading, praying,  listening to music, receiving calls, emails  and texts (not always answering them, sorry), actually doing a little business here and there,  getting to know ALL of the hospital staff, and much medical intervention.  Fortunately, the tv has been off 99% of the time and he is able to quiet his mind and really have some quality quiet time.  How many of us actually get this.  Having the opportunity to hold his thoughts captive, and re-evaluate the things that really matter.  Indeed, I think he is making very good use of this time.

He continues to be confined to his room, no walks in the hall, however, he has a physical therapist (Mike) who comes in daily to work him gently.  Obviously, he is being protected from the outside world to prevent infection.  So visitors are still discouraged, this is actually difficult for Clif, he loves the company.  His numbers are still low (neutropenic) because of the high dose treatment.   We are also told, those numbers will not increase unless the Leukemia is gone from the marrow.  So, we watch and see what God has in store and pray for healing.

"Do not be anxious about anything but in prayer and petition make your requests known to God."  Phil 4:6

So, alas, we plead for your continued prayers!