A Day in the Life of . . .

Laura and I thought we would paint a picture of what a typical day looks like for us.  Many of you have asked and weren’t sure what a day looks like so here it is.  By the way, this entry is in quotes reflecting the fact that Laura dictated this to me.

“Thank you to all of you for being patient with me not blogging and answering e-mails or phone calls.  I’ve been so exhausted it’s been impossible for me to sit up and respond.  One of the most difficult parts of recovery is the seemingly endlessness of sameness each day.  However, my doctor reassures me that it is not like the movie ‘Groundhogs Day’ where you are stuck in the same day over and over.

I go to the hospital every day as I do this outpatient.  I usually go in the morning.  Someone has to drive me each day.  The first thing that takes place when I arrive is that I get my blood drawn.  They check the counts to see if I need blood and/or platelettes that day.  The doctor comes in after the results of the blood test are received (usually within 15 minutes or less).  He asks a multitude of questions about all kinds of symptoms that may be developing.  This includes whether I have headaches, stomach-aches, bowel problems, sore throat and mouth, vision problems, breathing problems, skin rashes, swelling in the body, body functions, bleeding issues, and the list goes on.  He does a quick exam and then decides if I receive any treatment that day.

I can be at the hospital anywhere from 1 hour to 6 hours or more.  I won’t know until that day how long I’ll be staying there so I come armed with a bag full of things to do IF I have any energy.  Sometimes I just sit and sleep while I receive treatments.

After I get out of the hospital and arrive at home, I usually nap on the couch because I’ve expended all of my energy just going to and from the hospital.  I try to sit up for dinner on the couch but I haven’t been eating much lately because my throat is so sore from the sores developed from the chemo.  I take 20 pills spreading out over four times each day.  Each day is just waiting; waiting for the bone marrow to kick in and start making white blood cells and enabling my body to start producing blood cells of my own.  The doctor says it will be at least another week before this starts happening.

Throughout the day, I take my temperature endlessly waiting to see if a fever develops.  My temperature goes up and down throughout each day.  In the late afternoon/early evening, my temperature usually goes up.  It’s been going up over 100 for the past few days.  I sit and wait to see if I need to call the doctor.  So far my temperature has dropped to normal during the night and I haven’t had to be admitted to the hospital.

I can feel people are supporting us.  Right now, I don’t feel the loneliness and discouragement I did last week.  I’m also coming to grips more with what the process of recovery looks like.  Thank you so much for your faithful prayers, e-mails, phone calls, gifts and moral support.”

Tomorrow I’ll give you an idea from my (Brad) perspective on what a normal day looks like for me.  Thanks for indulging us and reading about our lives.  We know you love us and care for us.

Love,

Brad