Day 27

Kristen had a good night. She attempted to sleep without the oxygen. When she'd really fall asleep good the alarms would go off indicating that her oxygen was too low. She's spent the majority of the day without the oxygen. Which is good, but she is only maintaining about a 90% oxygen level. Her blood pressure has returned as an issue. They are going to add in a blood pressure medicine for her to take daily. Once again the doctor reminded Kristen that she needs to drink more fluids. She's horrible at this. I don't get it, she says she doesn't like water. What?! How can you not like water? I easily blow through 64 ounces a day and she can't even get in 32? These fluids are important for her liver. At least one if not two of her medicines really need to be flushed through the liver. So I told her she has to take a sip every commercial when she's awake. So far it has helped today. Oh, not to mention that we ordered some lemonade instead of straight water. She received platelets late this afternoon. Her platelet count wasn't that low but she tends to drop to a dangerous level overnight. They have moved her possible release date to Friday 7/1. I had a small pity party over this. I know it's only a day or so longer. (Three sleeps as we like to call it.) After I had my pity party I felt bad because there is one young man, Jonathan (18) who has been here at least 3 weeks because of GVHD after his transplant. I never see a mom around, just his dad. The weariness often shows on his face. Please pray for them. Friday Kristen will have a bone marrow aspiration/biopsy. It will be day 30, they will use this to see how the transplant is going. Pray for good news, aka, that the transplant is progressing as planned.

So now for the funny part of our day. Yesterday I gave Kristen a semi-pedicure. Today I went to polish them. We got to laughing at ourselves. Her feet shake because of some of the medicines and my hands shake for whatever reason. It became a challenging task. I managed though and didn't paint outside the lines. Ok, only a little.

Prayer:
Kristen's lungs to clear and strength so she can get off this oxygen!
Kristen to be able to drink the necessary fluids to help protect her liver.
Kristen's blood to begin producing platelets on it's own. All the other parts too.
For Kristen's new blood pressure medicine to be successful in treating her BP issues (149/93 at one point today!)
***That BP always a problem. First the Gulf and now Kristen. (bad joke)***
Ultimately the defeat of Kristen's cancer!

Happy Birthday Colleen!