DAY +6

So we're on day +6 since Rachel's bone marrow transplant! We are learning about low microbial diets, mucositis (intense mouth/throat sores), cyclosporine (auto-immune suppressant to help her body accept the new marrow), lots of other new meds to protect her liver, kidneys, etc.

She is also experiencing a new level of pain that she hasn't had to go through thus far in her treatments! In describing her pain in her throat a couple of days ago, she said, "Mom, it feels like I've swallowed a knife!" Simply swallowing her own saliva brings tears to her eyes. She still has an appetite and would like to eat, but it is very difficult due to the pain. She did get some yogurt down this morning...but it took 1/2 hr.

Luckily they have her on a patient-controlled-analgesic (PCA) unit which gives her continuous morphine. She can push a button every 10 minutes for another dose of morphine. They keep increasing the dose to better manage her pain.

She's also learned to use the suction unit by her bed. It helps clear out all the thick gunk in her mouth/throat that makes it hard to breathe etc.

All of this happening and knowing that she just missed her volleyball club tryouts for this season, have made for a somber week. On the up side, she is still trying to eat, in about a week we might see some hints of her counts starting to come up, and--if all goes as planned--we might able to spend Christmas at home...together!

A friend of ours, Amanda Flamm, has this quote on her daughter's blog. This is our goal these next few weeks. Thanks for all of your prayers, love and support!

"Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it."

-Groucho Marx