LOCATION: Vanderbilt University Hospital - Stem Cell Unit
DATE: 8.18.12 DAY: 4
MOOD: Life is good.
MENTAL STATE: Improving!
PHYSICAL STATE: Felt great, all day - no nausea!
I awoke this morning with a calm stomach and a good feeling in my body. All the prayers that had been prayed for my nausea kicked in and I truly believe the prayers helped my body take a turn for the better.
My platelet count was low so I was given a bag of platelets around 9:00a. Platelets are usually pushed through the pump in a thirty minute time span and although my vitals were taken twice, my body delayed in reacting to the platelets until five minutes after they were finished. A bright red splotchy rash began on my arms and before I knew it, my body was covered in what looked like a bright sunburn. Thankfully, it did not itch! I was given a round of steroids to combat the reaction and applied a topical steroid cream to the rash. It took about three hours before my skin returned to normal.
The nurses hooked me up with a suction contraption which enabled me to spit out the white foam nastiness the mucositis was producing in my mouth instead of swallowing it to just sit on my stomach. The suction tube/mouth piece was similar to what you would find in a dentist's office. And yes, it's as nasty as it sounds, but it did help my stomach stay settled all day. Apparently a completely empty stomach was beneficial.
The dressing over my port was changed and that made me feel much better. Trying to keep the dressing dry while showering has become my daily challenge.
Today I noticed my hair follicles were aching a bit; a sign that my hair will probably fall out within a week or two.
Today I felt 100% better than yesterday. No nausea to speak of and I didn't dry-heave at all. Yes! I was able to walk seven laps in the evening and had a very calm night other then a midnight cyclosporine headache. Two oxycodone pills took care of the headache and, of course, helped me get in a good night's rest.
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