Journal Feb 18

Journal Feb 18:

Main Page • John's Journal • CLL Information • Contact John • Seattle Cancer Care Alliance • MD Anderson

My best night's sleep since I've been in the hospital. There have been
several nights where I have only slept three or four hours because of pain or
anxiety. Most of yesterday I had a lot of pain in my esophagus and throat as a
result of the radiation. On a scale of 1 to 10 the pain was a 10. It was
difficult to breath and impossible to swallow anything. What the doctors
ended up doing was hooking me up to a pain pump. The pump has pain
medication (Dilaudid) in it and I have a little button I can push to give
myself the medicine whenever needed. The doses are small, and I have to wait
at least six minutes between doses. The medicine is very effective and has
made life much easier. I will have the pain pump until my blood counts come
back. The doctors say I should be getting mouth sores, but I have been
rinsing 20 to 30 times a day with a saline solution. It's supposed to
decrease the severity of the sores. So far, so good.

Here's a little info for you:

Hematocrit (HCT) - percentage of red blood cells in total blood volume.
Normal: 34-55% Mine: 30% (transfusion at 26%)
White Blood Cells (WBC) - cells which protect against infection.
Normal: 5,000 to 10,000 Mine: <0.2
Polys- type of white blood cell that is particularly important against
infection.
(neutrophils) Normal: 1,800-7,000 Mine: 1
Platelets-assists with blood clotting.
Normal: 150,000-300,000 Mine: 14,000
(transfusion when I hit 10,000) I better not cut myself.

Yesterday I got my first fever. Normal body temp is 37 Celsius. I was
at 38.2 Celsius. The doctor said fevers will be a normal part of the
process. They took a chest x-ray as well as blood and urine samples. I
haven't got the results back yet. This morning my temperature was down to
37.5. Yeah.

Yesterday morning Michelle's dad came up with Tanner. We had breakfast
together and he drew me pictures. Michelle and I went for a walk outside
yesterday afternoon. It's nice they let you go out. I wear a mask and don't
touch anything and wash my hands as soon as I return. Washing hands is the most important thing I can do to prevent infection. Michelle is always going around wiping everything down in the room with alcohol pads. I am sure we're both going to be big time germ-a-phobes when this is over.

Cameron Craig stopped by last night. I was pretty sleepy, but enjoyed
visiting with him.

A few days before I entered the hospital for treatment, I visited the
cancer floor where I would be staying. The reality of my cancer hit hard
when I saw all the sick patients in their rooms. I left the floor quickly.
Images of all the sick people frightened me and stuck in my head for days.
After being here for a while my attitude has changed. I am not scared, I am
honored. I am surrounded by some of the strongest, most courageous people I have ever met. These people are fighters and they have a love for life like
no one else. They have made me stronger. I pray all of you will be thankful
for each day you have and make the very best of your life.

Turn all your anxiety over to God because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

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