Day 8

Luke has a lot going on but in spite of all the issues it's a grand time at MDA! The blood and platelets continue to flow. Luke must be north of 20 units since arrival. He had platelets yesterday and 2 units of blood today. Still no white count.

Fighting the fungi and associated pneumonia. He's been dealing with chest pain. They stuck a camera and probe into his lugs to pull a sample. The first antibiotic they tried on the fungus Luke had a slight issue with. The issue was best expressed by Luke when he said "Mom I can't breathe". Needless to say they took him off that one after less than a minute. The next day he was given a different formulation of the same thing but this time they prepped him with Tylenol, Benadryl and hydrocortisone. The reformulated stuff he was able to handle but once a fungus establishes itself, it can be incredibly hard to get rid of. He is getting multiple antibiotics daily for weeks to come.

Temperature is up and down from normal to +103. Joints are sore. Appetite is good. He's been able to walk the floor at least once a day and has felt well enough to get the guitar out.

To be discharged Luke will need to stop spiking a temperature and get some white cells. His counts are supposed to bottom out 3-4 weeks after the start of the last round of chemo. 4 weeks will be next Wednesday - home for the 4th?