Day -2 And Counting

Clif is hanging in there, enduring and persevering,  yet keeping his eyes looking up!

He has finished the chemo, now let the symptoms begin, or not...........

On Friday, April 25th the final bag of chemo, The Mother Lode, The Big Kahuna was hooked up;

Seriously!!!!  This little bag about 5 inches in length, maybe 4 inches in width dripped for about 25 minutes.  It's suppose to pack a powerful punch, to prove strength really does come in small packages.  

About one hour before the drip began, he started eating ice chips to allow his mouth to get really cold to avoid Mucositis (sores in the mouth).  At onset, they gave Clif Ativan to relax him , we turned on some good music and allowed this highly toxic drug to drip its way into Clif's bloodstream and travel within to do its God willing good work.  He rested quietly through the day.  He did lose his dinner, but in a very gentle and sudden manner.  Nausea is expected.  His sleep that night was restfull.  

The following day, Saturday, he began the day like most others, with a bag of platelets and a bag of blood.  Awakening to nausea but it was quickly knocked down by Kytril, anti-nausea.  A graft vs host regimen of drugs to ready him further for the transplant was introduced.  His appetite today has been stellar, probably got down at least 2000 calories and we walked 8 laps around the floor, that my friends is 1 mile!  Before I left that night, we read a couple of devotionals and Proverbs chapter 26, we prayed and quieted our hearts for another hopeful uneventful night.

Sunday morning, I just spoke with him, he sounds rested and ready for breakfast.  The doctor was just in, asked if there was any pain in the right side (gall bladder) or the left side (left lung), no pain.  He asked how his cough was, his answer was "it has not increased".  Clif's blood counts are back down to the neutropenic levels, where expected.  The doctor will allow us to walk the halls again today assuming he is up to the task.  Typically, when your numbers hit rock bottom, they want you to stay in your room with the door closed, but in Clif's case, because of his long stay, they want him to exercise to build strength.

Many of you have inquired if there is still a need for blood and platelets, simply, yes.  He receives them daily.  Thank you again, it sustains him and keeps him on the playing field.

Please pray for another good day and for the vast array of possible symptoms to be harnessed and held at bay.

“He gives strength to the weary 

and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, 

and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD 

will renew their strength. 

They will soar on wings like eagles;”

they will walk and not be faint.

ISAIAH 40 : 29 – 31”