Day 4!

Good morning.

Today is considered day four. Day one was the transplant. Now, Vern has no immune system, the chemo wiped that out. Now when he leaves his room he has to wear a mask, gloves, and sterile gown. But he has been trying to take a small walk, even a few steps, if he can. He is so strong and such a fighter. I really admire him.

Vern is starting to get pretty ill to his stomach. He isn't eating much and losing weight. He is in quite a bit of pain too as the stem cells try to find his bones again. All things they expected but no fun for him!

His red blood count is dropping. Again, something they expect. At some point he will probably need a transfusion for that. They monitor things at least once a day from a blood standpoint, more if they need too.

He sounds very weak on the phone. I have a cold so I can't go down right now but am hoping by Friday I can leave. If you have a card or anything you want to send you can email me at abarker41@ivytech.edu and I would be more than happy to take it with me. You can even send and email to him at gtown2night@yahoo.com or just leave a comment under the blog posting and he will get to see it.

I am sure at this point the TV is getting old already but he's not really up to doing much else so any emails would help his days and nights to go faster. He's not been sleeping well from all the medication.

Thank you for all your prayers.

Andra