Lovingheart

We received great news today.  His marrow tests came back clear.  His spinal fluid is also clear.  This doesn't mean the cancer is completely gone but it is not putting up a fight and is much weaker and in hiding.  Very exciting.  Because the results are so good, they have taken him off the steroids.  Yay!! Once his blood counts recover they will start immunotherapy. Marlon has a very sore throat which makes drinking and eating painful.  He drinks very little and gets painkillers in order to eat.  He gets a break from the IV in the afternoon but is getting liquid and nutrition the rest of the time.  He walked more today than he has since being admitted.  That was to go see a particular restaurant of course.  It was a disappointing day food wise for him and soon the cravings will dissipate. I am hoping for a smoother ride over the next few weeks until the bone marrow transplant.  They are hoping to move forward with that in six ...

Another not so good night.  Platelets were brought in the night.  Normally he gets them during the day but they ordered them early because he had a procedure scheduled.   Transfusions needed to be done ahead of time.  Then he was awake for a while a bit later with the pain/nausea in his gut.  This is not plain nausea as it includes a lot of pain.  He didn’t throw up but thought he would. He didn’t have to wait long to be brought down for the procedure.  In fact they woke him up.  Last word Marlon said as the anaesthesia was putting him to sleep was ‘falafel’.  Yes, another food craving. Lumbar puncture (LP) where they use a needle to insert chemo drugs into the spinal fluid.  And a bone marrow where they remove some for testing.  Originally it was going to be tested again after 4 weeks of induction treatment but I think they are hoping for positive results to allow treatment to progress.  No matter what they will not decrease t...

I miss the dogs.  I also stress about them.  They each wear trackers and Pan is regularly getting into trouble going onto the commercial street nearby.  Not a place for dogs with various factories and regular traffic on the road.  Some have seen him and think he is a starving dog so they feed him (the problem with a dog that is part whippet - he looks skinny).  He keeps going back for more.  One time, I even heard he went into a lunchroom and was scavenging in the garbage.  I have been messaged by people working there.  He has been driven home several times.  Yesterday was a bad day for that and I was so stressed out, wondering if I have to re-home him if I can't be there.  Marlon stressed as he felt guilty that I was with him.  P gives the dogs lots of attention and exercise when he gets home from work in the evening.  Pan goes wandering during the day.  T will see the dogs playing happily together and then a few minute...

I have been thinking for several days that Marlon will be going home soon.  Overall he is more stable and relying less on the IV.  Then yesterday I heard his neutrophils are at 0.1 or even 0.  Normal range is 2.0-7.5.  Neutrophils show his immunity and I remember from last time they usually require at least a 0.5 to be released.  One of the nurse practitioners confirmed that today.  It is common for them to be unwell during the induction phase so he may stay in hospital a while longer. On the bright side, Marlon does not care too much one way or another where he is.  He doesn’t have the energy to do much. That said, we did go outside a little bit and he sat on the grass while I walked down the road to get us each a toonie Tuesday cupcake.  He might prefer the peace and quiet of home and the outdoors there but we’ll have to wait a little while longer. Before his shower, which was before we could go out, he also required platelets and blood again....

Marlon has had several transfusions in the two weeks he had been in hospital.  Mostly just platelets.  I think 4.  Surprising how fast the levels went down.  Yesterday, he also had a blood transfusion.  First one this time around.  Pretty good today.  He had breakfast and shortly after that took a nap.  Two of his aunts came by for a visit.  We hung out for a bit and then Marlon's latest food craving had us leave the hospital grounds to go find poutine.  Nice for Marlon to get out though he did find the heat and sun a bit much.  His craving was very specific poutine with bacon and cheese sauce and gravy.  Specifically on home style fries.  Boy did he enjoy that meal. The other fries we had were with guacamole and green onions.  Not bad.  Marlon felt great for about two hours after his meal and then the nausea hit.  Like a small truck according to him.  He was miserable for several hours.  But he di...

Two weeks ago we were at home and had decided to go to hospital the following day.  I was feeling a little more panicky when I saw him spiking a fever.  It cleared up in no time but I told Marlon several times that if ever he wanted to leave sooner just let me know.  On Monday, I realized the previous day was 4 years to the day when Marlon went septic and I thought he died  ( April 13, 2021 ). No wonder I was more anxious than usual.  Well ok, I was also concerned because he wasn't well. He had visitors today.  A friend of his, her two younger siblings and their dad.  It was a good visit overall.  The youngers, their dad and I walked around campus.  He had been to school here back in the 90’s.  That left Marlon time to just hang with his friend. He was exhausted after the visit but so happy they brought him a 7 layer dip.  That was his big request.  I did go out last night and early this morning but had no luck finding it arou...