Moving in the Right Direction

Some improvement today! Parrish has actually spoken a few sentences and has had a couple sips of a milkshake. Yes, in our world, that constitutes improvement. At the very least, it is movement in the right direction. Overall, he seems to have a bit more strength and not be in constant, excruciating pain. Granted, he is on serious pain medications (including the morphine drip and pump), but pain medication hasn't seemed to help the last couple of days. So, even if today's minor relief is medication-induced, we'll take it.

Parrish's white count is up to 230. It looks like he hit bottom at around 100, and hopefully we will continue to see a slow increase over the next few days. As those numbers improve, so should his fatigue, as well as the very painful skin issues he is having. Once that count gets closer to 500, his numbers should increase more quickly. In addition, at 500, the doctors will start looking at what types of white blood cells he is producing. Neutrophils are one type of white blood cell and the type that is the first line of defense against infection in the body. Parrish has to have a neutrophil count of at least 500 before the doctors will even discuss discharge (not that we are anywhere near discharge, but some of you have asked). 

Parrish has lost almost 20 pounds since he got here. He was already on the low-side of his normal weight, so the weight loss is pretty significant. When you can't eat for a week, I guess that is what happens. A pretty extreme diet plan, if you ask me. They are keeping him hydrated with fluids, and hopefully as his mouth and throat sores improve, he will be able to tolerate food. Of course, it will take a long time for his taste buds to come back, so even once the sores are gone, food and drink won't taste like they are supposed to. 

Parrish has also been suffering from a busulfan rash for the past couple of days. Busulfan (one of the chemos used) can cause pretty terrible skin issues in a few patients. Wouldn't you know that Parrish is one of those patients. It causes a very painful, raw-skin type rash. It is awful. The topical ointments and the morphine finally seem to be helping some with that pain, and the doctor is adding another IV medication today to see if that will give more relief.

Parrish has a new fixture in his hospital room...an exercise bike (circa 1992). Because of the toll the treatment takes on your body, it can take patients a long time to regain stamina. They encourage patients to don a mask and walk laps around the unit, IV pump in tow (20 laps equal a mile). Since Parrish hasn't even gotten out of bed in a week, except for a shower here and there, he hasn't been pounding the BMT pavement. So, they brought him an exercise bike. Not sure when he'll be up for giving it a whirl, but maybe I'll test it out. A blast from my middle school past. As a side note, the record for miles walked around the BMT is 60. Competi-Molly is urging Parrish to blow that record out of the water. So far, I just keep getting blank stares. 

As I watch Parrish sleep, it is sort of hard to imagine that this, right now, is progress. If he were allowing anyone to visit, y'all would probably have me committed to the psych ward, because it sure doesn't look like he is doing all that great. It's all relative, though (isn't everything in life). I showed him a picture of the boys this morning and he smiled...progress. And a glimpse of the Parrish I know and love. Once his infectious laugh returns (and he starts cracking some jokes), I'll know we are in the home stretch!

Much love,

Molly