All's Well (for the most part)

Sorry about no post yesterday. Greg was feeling fine, we decided to take the day off and I had my big outing to Wal-Mart. (If I don't go out to buy underwear, the whole economy of St. Louis falls apart!).

The comments were great. Kim, I loved your name suggestion, but if Greg adopts it, it will have to be plain Ula. I can't remember the rest. That's longer than my last dog's name (Magnolia Culpepper Koszuth Skibinski -- now THAT'S a mouthful. Or, at least, ethnically schizophrenic!). Nancy, Greg says, "How do you know you misunderstood the context?" He says he has very perky stem cells now. (Its been a long time since I've seen "Austin Powers.") Garlicy creamed corn? Remind me to be busy the next time either you or Ginger invite me over for dinner.

We had an extremely uneventful day. Then, I opened my big mouth and now we're wearing the HazMat suits again. Loyal readers will remember that they measure EVERTHING that comes in & goes out. Last evening Greg had something that needed to be "measured" in the bathroom. I asked the nurse if it needed to be sent off for a culture (you need three negatives to be cleared from C-Diff). So, she checked the computer and saw that he's had his 3 C-Diff tests, all negative, but that he tested positive for VRE two days ago, and no one caught it. VRE = Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus, which I heard on CNN has recently filed for bankruptcy, but will be receiving TARP funds later in the week. Vancomycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic they hang regularly around here. They've given it for every infection he's had EVER, including the fevers he had when he got here this time. They gave me a pamphlet that "explains" it, but, like all the other written info I get from them, it was written by a 3rd grader for a 3rd grader. The new attending, Dr. Casshion, (DP's replacement) comes in the mornings (she does not have fangs and has a reflection in the mirror) and I plan to ask her. However, in the meantime, all visitors and staff must wear the bright yellow plastic HazMat suits & gloves. (It matches Shirley's wig perfectly!). Since I spend the majority of my time in the room, I have to wear it whenever I leave -- to go to the bathroom, the pantry, family lounge, a walk, etc. Its quite fashionable and warm. While VRE is no threat to a healthy person (we all have Enterococcus floating around inside us -- even YOU Ian) its a real threat to immune-compromised people. I could inadvertently spread it to them in the common areas of the floor. From what I've read so far, he's on these precautions for the duration of his stay. Even if he tests negative later. Sigh.

Today we're going to ask about what side effects and problems to expect over the next few days. Greg's feeling pretty good this morning, but we know once his counts bottom out, he'll have some issues. Also, he must show some signs of GVHD (Graft Versus Host Disease), but not too many signs, to indicate that the cells are grafting and everything is going OK. More on that later.

On a personal note, Matthew is really having a hard time with this separation. He's having an average of 2 melt-downs a day. Poor kid. I know its very scary for him, but I also know he's a bit of a drama king. I talk to him, he melts down, then I melt down, then Greg melts down. We're developing a pattern here. Last night he told me Grandma and Auntie Skibby made him eat raw chicken & wouldn't give him anything else! They were starving him! (I suspect that's the drama king side of him). Turns out they had the audacity to make him exactly what he asked for for dinner (grilled, not raw, chicken!) They also took him swimming to "Eric's pool" (the Nixa Community Center where he lifeguards), and baked cookies. What meanies! Today he goes to play with Emma, so hopefully, the diversion will do him good.

That's all for now. I'll post more when something happens. Just remember, no news pretty much means no news. Thanks for all the comments, concern, prayers, Karma, finger-crossing, offerings to Budda, etc.

Love,

US