TWO Weeks @ Dr's House & Counting!

Ugh! We started off with a six day admission for a routine visit of chemo, Monday September 17. Nothing we haven't done before - not a fun rodeo but one we've done it many times. Finally on Saturday 9/22 we were released only to return Monday 9/24 because Tommy became Neutropenia (low blood count, fever, chills, no immune system) and within 24 hours we ended up in a platelet transfusion. Since then, he has had zero ANC (no immunity) and a high fever. We've treated him with the best of antibiotics and still stumped. We have about 24 - 48 hours to go and then they will start treating him with fungal meds which isn't a fun routine what they tell us. They also tell us they highly doubt we'll make it through all of his chemo treatments without reaching a time of it (fungal) meds happening. I'm guessing he'll need one or more transfusions before we go home from all of this.

Needless to say, we are restless of being in the hospital. Only home for one day in the last two weeks. It's hard on all of us. Maggie is happy to see me and crys her eyes out when she has to leave. "My Mommy!" Oh those words melt me. Daryl is exhausted of being a single parent, I'm tired of living at the hospital with little sleep and just want a home cooked meal -- even if I have to make it. Tommy though of all of us has it the hardest! He's so tired of being here and reminds me and the staff he wants out of here. He's finally got some spirit in him, which should mean we are on the up and up. We suspect if that keeps up, maybe in 24 - 48 hours we can be going home. All depends on his system and getting to a 3 ANC count.

Meanwhile, Daryl leaves tomorrow for Iraq again (AKA the sandbox) and Maggie will go to Aunt Suzanne's (AKA daycare - no relative relation) and I'll be here with Tommy till we can go home. He was scheduled for chemo on Monday (tomorrow) but that's not happening. We will wait till next week for that. Seeing how Daryl still won't be home, my dad will be coming up to take care of Maggie and the house.

Good thing Daryl is flying for Alaska, we'll need a lot of help for the remaining treatments and hospitalizations and with no family here in WA to help, it's nearly impossible to do what we have done. We've been living this life for six months as hard as it is to believe and we have 3 to 5 more months to go.

Maggie and Daryl came to see us both days this weekend and we did have great visits both days. Daryl snuck me out and swept me off to lunch with him and Maggie. Tommy would sit and visit with the nurses and doctors till we returned. Then Maggie and I would paint in Tommy's room, watch a movie and just relax. It was also the time Daryl and I could see one another before he leaves. I've always been there for him and helped him pack for a trip - this is the first one in 12 years of marriage that I have not been able to. Sorry Babe, it's not the same I know.

Well, I'm exhausted so I think I am going to hit the sack early. Will need it this week while being a single working parent and running between daycare, hospital and the office. Peace be with you all <><.