Steven has done really well with this last round of chemotherapy. He came home Sunday evening and was begging to go to a family dinner, so I took him. He loved being around him cousins and other family, although even Grandma's great cooking couldn't entice him to eat. He does have some nausea, but so far he hasn't thrown up at all--at home or at the hospital.
We are having to give him shots of GMCSF every day. This is a drug that will help his white blood cell counts to recover faster. As I had never given a shot before, this has been a little dramatic. I won't go into details, it was kind of embarassing. But here is a hint--I had to stick him twice and I ended up getting sticking myself in the process. I did better today--maybe there is hope for me yet.
Sonja - there's a woman in my ward who's third child has some serious health problems and she was telling me that she feels like she has had this informal, day to day training in medicine because of all that she has learned to do with her son (oxygen tanks, respirators, g tubes, trachs etc). I was thinking that at the end of this year you will probably be saying the same thing and by that time will be an expert at giving shots or whatever else you will have learned to do. I just feel such a lot of love for you and the tender work you are doing for Steven's body (and your other kids too).
ReplyDeleteI love that you stuck yourself! hehe!
ReplyDeleteHey it will get easier. I've even stuck myself. Last year I droped the needle and stuck the patient again in not a very good place. We laughed about it but it made me really nervous. I hope Steven is patient with you.
ReplyDeleteOkay, you're much braver than I am. I'm not sure I could give a shot to anyone. I'd probably have to make John do it. I'm proud of you.
ReplyDeleteWe're not all cut out to be phlebotomists.
ReplyDeletedidn't you get to practice on an orange or anything? you'll get better. we can do shots here now while half asleep.
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