Groggies

The steroids are definitely helping the GVHD rash already. The itching, pain, and redness are all reduced, and that's a big relief. The problem is that she started having nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain soon after she started taking them. The doctor says it's not from the steroid, since they use that same medicine to treat nausea and vomiting. It's more likely to be connected to her liver somehow. He says that his patients sometimes go for months without nausea and then suddenly vomit.

The odd part about it is that her appetite has gotten better, even with all the retching. I bought some things from Trader Joe's yesterday that I can just heat up in smaller portions to help ease the cooking problem (cooking full-sized meals and trying to store it). She still gets severe stomach pains if she eats too much (like maybe half a normal-sized meal). Nothing was soothing that stomach pain until we tried a small dose of the "magic mix" last night. It actually worked, at least enough to get her to sleep.

We had to get to bed early last night, since the office is closed on Friday and the only appointment today (Thursday) was at 7:00 am. So I'm blogging now while we're waiting for the labs to come back.

Yesterday, Krista had her weekly IVIG treatment, but this time she had a different home-care nurse. The economy has apparently taken a toll on the home-care agency, as they began lay-offs starting with our dear nurse Janice. Janice told us that she was the last one hired, so she was the first one to go. That is very sad. Krista had such a good connection with her, and we missed having our weekly American Idol discussion (but wow, did you see Adam last night... that was amazing!).

I don't know if it's just the morning groggies, but I woke up feeling achy. The feeling isn't getting any better either, and I'm hoping I'm not coming down with something. They told us that if I did get sick, that I should just keep on the other side of the room from Krista. So far, I haven't needed to take that advice.

Platelet count just got in.... 37,000! That's amazing; it's been two days since her last transfusion, and it looks like she's holding on well. It's going to be a short day here at the office... maybe I can get a nap now and try to sleep off my groggies.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,
with your right hand you save me.
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O LORD, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.
(Psalm 138:7-8)