End of a Rough Visit

Today is the last day of RJ's five day chemo hospital stay, and he's glad to see it go. It was difficult to walk back into the hospital again, knowing what was ahead and with the memories of what happened last time he was here, but he faced it bravely. Although he's said that it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be (and we can only imagine how bad he thought it would be), it's been a long five days. As with all things medical with RJ, it's been difficult to get the nausea under control so he's felt sick most of the time despite all of the staff's efforts. He's been trying to eat six small meals every day, but most days we're lucky enough to get a window of feeling good to cram in just one.

If all goes well, he should be able to go home today and rest for about two and a half weeks before the next round of chemo. Because his whiteblood cell count will go down sometime in the next three to four days, he has to basically hibernate and avoid other people and our germs until the neutropenic phase passes and he can join the world again. Everyone is hoping that he'll get through this phase without getting sick and having to return to the hospital - we all want RJ home for Christmas!

Thanks again for all of the cards and packages - RJ loves opening all of the things that come and they really put a smile on his face, even when he's in the middle of a bad patch.