Day 2 post-transplant: Tom was feeling still nauseous enough Wednesday to need Ondansetron (Zofran) a couple of times. He didn't really eat solid foods until later in the day, but wasn't feeling too bad.
In the afternoon, volunteers organized a game of bingo via walkie-talkies. The playroom and teen rooms are still off limits here - they haven't been open since last fall when H1N1 took off. But, even if they were open, Tom couldn't make use of the facilities right now because of his low counts and how easily he could pick up an infection. And right after bingo finished, a young man named Todd (I'd guess he was in his early 20's) stopped by - he's a volunteer and had heard that Tom might be looking for someone to play video games with. Between Thomas sleeping until nearly noon, and then the afternoon's diversions, the day passed pretty quickly.
The Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta (a family and patient support group unique to Alberta) sponsors an ordered-in pizza night every Wednesday, both as a treat for patients in hospital, but also as a way to spread the word about their services. The group started 20+ years ago in the basement of a 'cancer mom', and today it is a very large charitable foundation, that sponsors a lot of childhood cancer research, funds camps for kids and siblings of all ages, and provides support and outing mechanisms for childhood cancer patients and their families. And they tell us that, because Tom's received so much treatment here, he's considered one of their kids, too. It's nice to know that opens up some extra opportunities for him down the road as well. It also gives me some ideas about what's missing in Saskatchewan...
I took advantage of the opportunity in the afternoon to run over to Ronald McDonald House and do some laundry. In the evening, Aunt Eileen brought Amy over to play Super Mario Bros against Thomas, and then chauffeured me to the grocery store. Unfortunately, Tom lost his pizza later on last night, the first solid food of the day. His throat is very sore - perhaps the beginning of mouth sores...but since they can't give him Tylenol because it will mask any fevers that might develop, they will have to give him codeine or morphine if it gets unbearable. Still, we are optimistic for a better day today. We are also optimistic that Mike will be able to get back in to the hospital sometime today, he says his cold symptoms have completely disappeared.
Thomas is in good spirits despite the little ups and downs - but is definitely looking forward to being out of the hospital as soon as possible. We know that can't happen until his counts have come back up and stabilized. This morning as he slept they took a blood sample (easy enough to do because of his Hickman), and it shows that his hemoglobin is holding good at 92, but his platelets have dropped to 20, so a platelet transfusion is likely going to be needed soon. His white cells counts are still zero, but that's to be expected just now. Overall, though, the transplant team says they are pleasantly surprised with how well his body has handled everything.
Today is our oldest daughter's birthday - seems hard to believe she is 22 years old. I feel for her sometimes, because she had to break us in as parents...If you see Laura today, please wish her Happy B-Day! Today is also the birthday of my baby bro, Wayne, our niece Alyssa, Auntie Marg's brother Allan, and Bev's daughter, Suzanne - Happy Birthday to all of them as well. I can remember Wayne getting in trouble with his teachers, cutting class to come with Mom up to Regina the day Laura was born. I also remember his grin being even wider than usual - if that's actually possible, and how she fit into his palms. It's amazing how quickly they both grew up (LOL)!
Have a happy day everyone - thanks for your continued prayers and support!
Thomas' Mom
