Countdown to Transplant

Everything is moving forward for the transplant tomorrow. Parrish received his final dose of chemo last night, and today is a "rest" day. What that really means is that it is a day full of pre-meds for transplant.  They will continue to give him the IV vancomycin, fluids, anti-nausea meds (steroids, zofran, and ativan), and also lasix. They put a preservative in the stem cells when they freeze them. This preservative can cause fluid to accumulate in lungs and can cause kidneys to get overloaded. So, they want to use the lasix to get fluid out before the transplant. Then, they will increase Parrish's fluid after transplant to try and help flush the preservative out of the body. Empty the bucket and fill it back up, in very non-medical terms.

Parrish's blood pressure has stabilized after Tuesday's roller coaster. Everyone involved was very unnerved by Parrish's reaction to the etoposide. As a bystander, it was terrifying, especially as his pressure continued to drop and nothing seemed to be working. The doctor said that we can't have another day like Tuesday, and I totally agree. Yesterday and today, Parrish has just felt pretty terrible. Really terrible, if I am being honest. Blood pressure is better and the nausea is more controlled, but he just feels awful. He is totally exhausted, weak and really has no appetite, just taking a shower wore him out. He seems sort of surprised by how bad he feels. He breezed through his cancer treatment earlier in the spring. And, I think his response to this high dose chemo has sort of thrown him for a loop. In his mind, I don't think he was prepared for this sort of sickness, and it is shaking his spirit.

So, today, please pray for a renewed spirit for Parrish, for peace that passes all understanding, and for strength as he heads into an important day tomorrow. 

Much love,

Molly