Layer After Layer

So many layers of symptoms, complications and new obstacles to comprehend and circumvent all while the body is healing from a major surgery, an immune system that is fighting to re-establish itself after being impaired by chemotherapy and radiation, a bone marrow that is depressed to the point that the body requires red blood transfusions and an incision that has had to be partially re-opened to adequately keep clean among so many other things that aren't even mentioned here. Overwhelming just to see in a few sentences, an immense mountain to climb when in the midst of it all. Michael has had some difficult days. Extremely lethargic, heavy fatigue, difficulty speaking and labored breathing. He received 2 additional bags of blood this past Wednesday, this Friday his hemoglobin count was at 12 which is almost at the low end of normal so we are hoping and praying that will be the end of blood transfusions. My heart is heavy for him, for what he has gone through and what he is now going through.  I can not wait until he is home again. Days feel heavy and they are refusing to move, creating long days and even longer nights. Much of what Michael is experiencing are side-effects of the chemotherapy and radiation, a typical transplant patient would not be going through the effects of these toxins in their bodies. In order to do the stem cell transplant for this surgery, he had to undergo sessions of chemo and radiation. One nurse told me that he received double the amount of chemo that a normal cancer patient would receive (Michael does not have cancer, but the only way to do a stem cell transplant is by killing off the patient's bone marrow and chemo along with radiation is used to do this). One of the side-effects is loss of appetite and food becoming tasteless, Michael has lost about 30 pounds in 3 weeks. On Thursday I was deeply concerned after having a short conversation with him, he was breathless and speaking was an effort for him. On Friday, I could not shake off the feeling that things were not well with Michael and I called into the Transplant Clinic where I knew he had an appointment that day. After speaking to several people, I finally got a hold of his attending nurse and one of the transplant coordinators. I shared with her my concerns and she tried to answer as best as she could but promised to check on Michael who was in one of their processing rooms and call me back with an update. Michael called me while she was in the room with him attending to his open incision by cleaning it with saline and redressing it.  Michael had just finished receiving 3 bags of IV fluid and taking a two hour nap. Though Michael is drinking plenty of liquids, his body continues to battle dehydration as a result of the side-effects of the anti-rejection meds and his need to urinate about every hour. The nurse sincerely communicated that when she saw Michael walk into the clinic that morning she was concerned, "he could barely hold up his head". When she took his vitals, her level of concern heightened. After discussing things over with Dr. Leventhal, it was decided to increase his IV fluids which seemed to have helped stabilize Michael's blood pressure and heart rate as well as provide some much needed energy for his body. Michael will be giving himself 3 bags of fluid IV every day from his hotel room, along with a bag of antibiotic. You know how you go into a situation with nothing but positive thoughts, goals that will be exceeded and records that will be broken? Well, we both did going into this but we never thought or were we educated enough about medicine and the effects of chemo/radiation on a healthy body to realize how severe this blow would be. Though weak and tired, Michael is positive and looking forward to getting through this. He is mentally strong and has a way of controlling his thoughts instead of letting his thoughts control him. I know he will get through this, we will get through this.

A visit from Aunt Marg, Uncle Rudy and Sue.

 Harry helping out Michael with his IV.

****Graphic picture of Michael's incision below****

Michael's incision was opened up to keep it clean. Michael has to clean it and dress it 2x's a day.

23 Days Post Transplant. We thought we would be well into recovery by now but the road to travel was a bit more difficult than anticipated. Michael, I hope that you have not felt alone in this journey, that was one thing I never wanted you to experience. I love you, I will always be the soft place you can rest, the one you can trust and the one who will stand by your side through it ALL. God has shown His faithfulness, He is with us and has walked this journey ahead of us. He has cleared a path and in Him I trust. You are not alone, and neither are we.

God's blessings.  Lilly