Day 22: Relief

This morning was really rough for Krista. The bone pain she's been dealing with as her body's in rapid blood production was excruciating, and the pain killer just wasn't doing the job it used to. (Her white blood count today was 6.3!) The pain specialist visited this morning in the midst of this suffering. He is so awesome! He listened to Krista's complaints without discarding her feelings, asked questions to clarify, and then decided to take her off the old pain killer and put her on a different one.

The new pain killer wasn't available until after lunch. By that time, Krista had slept through the morning being heavily medicated with the old pain killer. The new one was introduced and it seemed to help some, but not enough to get relief. She kept pressing the button every 10 minutes just to keep the edge off, but would have to call the nurse for the hourly bonus dose to keep going. The pain specialist came in later to see how it was going, and decided to adjust the dosage. He told me that he started her out on a very conservative dose and had no problem upping it based on how she responded.

It is wonderful to see how the right dose has helped poor Krista. She can take the new pain killer without any nausea and it doesn't make her drowsy - and at this dose, her pain is down to a really bearable level. She's had a really good evening, looking much more alert and stable when she gets up... and she even read some from a book she brought with her. She couldn't eat the pot roast she ordered, but a second order worked better and she ate some cream of wheat, yogurt, a Popsicle, and a banana quite well. I've gotten used to her looking miserable in the evening, but now she's looking great. Such a relief!

By the way, thank you to everyone who has sent cards to Krista in the hospital. They're all going up on the wall with the Go! Fight! Win! decoration. What a great encouragement!

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
(Isaiah 40:28-31)