Day 7

Sorry I'm behind in the blog, and everything else! Vlad is feeling pretty blah, but that's not a bad thing in this situation. He has kind of a lump in the back of his throat that annoys, but doesn't hurt. Dr. Andersson said it's a chemo side-effect, it's some kind of inflammation of the throat/esophagus that, if it bursts, would become very painful. He advised Vlad to swish/gargle often with his baking soda rinse and otherwise protect it from opening up.

Dr. Andersson said this morning he was doing very well and that he's very pleased. On the down side, his CVC line is a bit red, so they removed the plastic patch and the Infusion Therapy nurses are administering a presumably antibiotic cream for the site. It has a gauze patch for the moment. Line infections are a big deal, especially to the IT department.

Lana made Vlad some vinaigrette and Olivier salad over the weekend; it was very good, thanks! We got into Mom's chili, which is perfect for this rare cold Houston winter.

Thanks for your prayers and calls and good wishes. We are so thankful for everything!

Today's counts: WBC still .1; Red BC 2.81; hemoglobin 8.4; and platelets 17. Vlad's platelet "parameter" is 15, so no platelet transfusion today; probably tomorrow. (His platelet parameter used to be 20. I guess 17 is the new 20?)