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August 9, 2005 (Day +4)
By Margot | August 9, 2005
(A preface – we are beyond thankful to be at City of Hope – many of our friends have asked that we tell it from Sam’s perspective since we try to be so positive. Below is a view from Sam’s vantage)
So, if you think you are having a hard day -your boss is being a jerk, your car won’t start or your kids are driving you crazy-here is a bit of what Sammy is dealing with…
He’s throwing up this gross green looking stuff from his stomach and most of the Tylenol we have to give him for fever, he has an angry red rash all over his nether regions, he has to spit every few minutes from severe mucositis and every now and then spits out blood, he is on TPN (IV nutrition) and can’t eat much, his mouth is all swollen so he can’t talk very well, he has diarrhea and someone is constantly trying to get at him to take Tylenol, take his blood pressure, his temperature, etc.. I’m sure I’ve left something out, but the reason I even let you in on all the gory details is to says that Sammy is a star. He’s dealing with it all so well, he still wants to do puzzles and mazes and we’ve been watching a lot movies together. He does his mouth care when the team comes without complaint. All the doctors and nurses keep saying what a trooper he is and how his attitude is so awesome. His spirits are still really good. It’s just hard to believe.
Larry Simpson came up tonight and brought a big bag of presents from the Bonebrakes, the Munsons, the Watsons and the Simpsons. It was so nice of everyone and made Sammy’s night. He put the Flash tattoo on immediately and we made some paper airplanes from the airplane book. There is a lot of new reading material for me too – wahoo!
From here we just wait it out until Sammy’s counts start to come up and he starts to feel better. We have to do everything possible to avoid an infection. The doctors keep saying how things are going really well, and they are. Everything Sam is dealing with is pretty run of the mill for stem cell transplant. What a party huh?
Andy is home with Maureen and Elizabeth and seems to be having a great time. We’ll bring him back up on Friday.
Thanks to everyone for all the help and warm wishes. Colleen, Maureen and Elizabeth, thanks for being so great with Andy and for keeping him happy.
Margot
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