Betty & Bucky

This is a week of great transition for Steve's journey to recovery as well as home life.  Medically, he continues to hang out in nadir land, today's WBC's at .2, complete neutrophils remain TLTC.   Getting platelets.  He is working through two issues now.  One is his mucositis.  It's pretty intense pain and discomfort.  Open sores in his mouth and on his tongue.  His entire mouth, tongue and lips are swollen.  He can still swallow, but he feels the migration of sores heading to his throat.  We fetched a McDonald's berry smoothie tonight and he enjoyed a bit of cold refreshment.  His nurse, Mike, got him all set up with a PCA (Patient Controlled Anesthesia) pump earlier today.  This means he can control the dosing of his paid meds.  He has a cable with a push-button that he hits when the pain increases.  I believe he said the Dilaudid was increased from .2 to .3 in case any of you are into those numbers.  He seems relieved to have this set-up.  I would imagine there are years of data to back up the goodness of this science.  He is drifting in and out of sleep now, drooling and snoring his way to good health.  I admire Steve's attitude too, he told me that, "this is just one step closer to my recovery and I have to get through it."  He receives his 4th, and FINAL IV-push of Methotrexate today, as it is Day +11 (Tuesday).


The other problem is some skin "issues" that are probably GvHD related.  If I haven't already mentioned Graft-Versus-Host-Disease, now is the time.  Steve's body may or may not react to Mary's cells taking up housekeeping.  The reactions are from differences in their DNA, specifically Steve and Mary's antigens from their immune systems.  HLA matching info from Be The Match.

As Dr. Altman said, "we DO want SOME fighting."  Mary's white cells may find minuscule leukemia cells and kill them, known as "Graft-Versus-Tumor (or Leukemia) effect.  That is what we want!  People who have GvHD symptoms in the early days after transplant have a much lower incidence of relapse later.  The skin on Steve's lower legs is very sensitive to heat and touch, much like a rash or sunburn.  It's not too troublesome at this time, but he does notice some discomfort when he showers.  Google GVHD and read on your own.  It's not pretty.  Chronic and Acute types.  Discuss.


He is concerned he will become a junkie.  Right now he doesn't care.  Brett Favre kicked his habit.   I told him that we might be able to share a room at The Betty Ford Clinic.  My addictions are Solitaire with a splash of Little Penguin Chardonnay.

Did you know Betty Ford is 92 and quite alive?  See what being open about addiction can do to extend your life?  My only beef with Betty is that she married a University of Michigan guy, but he was an Eagle Scout, and he was also a trophy husband.  So we good.

Kevin went back to school today, an 8th grader, WOW.  Molly returns to Madison on Wednesday.  It was a difficult goodbye tonight for all.


Today, Steve got the best Get Well card EVAHHHHHHHHH!!!!  When you say Wisconsin, you've said it all!!