"Wednesday"

Wednesday was a long day for Christi. I’m thankful that the narcotics were keeping her comfortable for the most part. She had a lot of eye pain and her mouth/throat aches from the mouth sores so it felt best to her to keep her eyes closed and to listen to us read to her. (My mom has been a Godsend!) Nonee finished “Maniac Magee” which was based in Philadelphia. Today, after Nonee arrives here from the Ronald House, I shall walk to a Wa Wa Store – named after a Penn. town and try to buy a package of “Tasteecakes” mentioned throughout the book so I can show Christi. (And hopefully temp her to try to eat something. As of three days ago, she already lost three pounds. I think that’s a lot when you don’t weigh so much to start with. Three more days of eating nothing and I’m certain she’s dropped even more.) I started reading “Things Not Seen” by one of her favorite authors Andrew Clements. Other than two 30 minute episodes yesterday (once in the morning to play “Chutes and Ladders” with Nonee and once last night sitting up to do some art which was lovingly sent here) she’s been flat on her back – only getting up to use the restroom.

I know she’s miserable, yet yesterday little “Christi moments” gave me smiles and brief moments of joy. While one doctor was examining her, I heard a little “meow”. The doctor thought she cried and he asked, “Does it hurt there? When did it start?” She did it again and finally I felt sorry for the doctor so I told him she was cuddling with a beanie baby cat and he must have squashed it while examining Christi’s body. After he apologized to the kitty, Christi moved its paws to wave to the doctor indicating kitty was ok and forgave him. So funny! Another time a nurse was working with her IV pole and out of nowhere Christi said, “What did the triangle say to the circle? Your life is so pointless.” Another nurse received, “What did the 90 degree angle say to the 91 degree angle? You’re so obtuse.”

Before the wonderful Nurse Practitioner Pat Brophy was grilled by Christi, she was asked “Why can’t you do a white cell transfusion on me?” and Pat did a fabulous job of explaining why that wouldn’t work and how they believe she’s going to get her white cells back up on their own. Late last night while rubbing Christi’s back she said, “Tomorrow I’m asking Dr. Pat how the shots help me because not all medicines work on me and maybe they aren’t working – so why should I have to keep getting them?” (many tears) Other than that – flat on her back, not feeling well the entire day and night.

Unfortunately, her white count came back yesterday and it was even lower than it was the night before when it was taken in the ER. This meant she had to receive the dreaded shot again last night. She told me of a few dreams she had – mainly about food and about her Great Aunt Marty. She also told us that while we are reading to her she’s building imaginary Lincoln log homes in her mind. (Sometimes we have to back up our reading because she’ll explain her mind took off with the Lincoln long project. What a hoot! What talent!) Hopefully, today will be a better day.

Blood Counts from Tuesday, Feb. 14th in ER:
1.2 white
8.3 hemoglobin
69 platelets
0 ANC

Blood Counts from Wednesday, Feb. 15th:
0.6 white (yikes)
9.8 hemoglobin
42 platelets (decreased)
ANC 18 (Yes, SOMETHING, FINALLY! I pray we’re on our way back up.)

I’ll update later today after we receive blood counts, a doctor’s exam and hopefully are moved down to the oncology floor.