Days 2 & 3

So today is Day 3. I got in trouble for not updating the blog yesterday but it was supposed to be Devin's turn. He spent the majority of the day with her. Yesterday she didn't feel very well and slept most of the day away. We believe it was because her tacrolimus levels were too high. (Tacro is the medication they use to suppress her immune system so that she won't reject the cells.) They have stopped the 24hr tacro drip for a while so that her levels will drop back to an acceptable range. She also got a visit from the "nice" physical therapist. She encourages Kristen to walk and exercise. Kristen hates to do this part. I feel like a nag when I'm always bugging her to walk.

Today she felt much better. Dr. P said it could have been the high tacro levels making her feel bad. I also wonder if it was because of her neupogen shots. They give her these to stimulate her new cord cells to get going. She was good about getting out of her room and walked two laps around the floor after breakfast and after lunch. The plan was to walk a couple more after supper but they gave her the neupogen shot and she started having a headache. So tomorrow we know that she needs to get it in before they come to give her the shot. Today her white count also dropped to 0.2. This means she is neutropenic and her body has no immunity. We must be extra careful to keep her from germs.

Devin is headed back to Fayetteville tomorrow for a few days and then we will be switching out for a few the following weekend. It's been nice having him here. I've used the time to get a break from constantly being at the hospital. Last night I got to go to dinner with a girlfriend here in Houston. It was so normal! I loved it!

So I've been intimidated to cook at the hospital. We have several foreign families that are basically cooking from scratch in the kitchen. They've brought their own pots and pans and the other day one mom was breaking down a tenderloin! A whole tenderloin like we buy and cut up into filets. Her food smells heavenly and I just want to sit there and beg. So we look like culinary idiots when we go in with Kristen's microwave mac n cheese or today she wanted Di Giorno pizza. I do make regular stuff and bring it in from home. We've had homemade chicken fettuccine alfredo and grilled chicken and mashed potatoes. I just think it's funny that I've allowed this to intimidate me.

Please pray that Kristen's body work with these new cells and start producing healthy marrow. Pray that she will be motivated to stay active. The more active she is the better her body will recover. Pray for a safe return home for Devin. Give thanks for the time we've had together and the break I've been able to have from spending 10-12 hours a day at the hospital. Also we give thanks for our friends back home that have taken care of Steven while Devin was gone.