Changing of the Guard

Today is day 10 and I am happy to report that all is well. Nick's cell counts have just about reached 0 and we should start to see him rebound tomorrow or Monday at the latest. If all goes according to plan, we are hopeful that he will be able to come home later in the week. Tomorrow he gets his last dose of chemo and then we wait for his counts to rise. He received his stem cells, ( or as Deb likes to refer to them as the "Nick Starter Package") a few days ago, so he should hopefully rebound quickly.

This time in, we were placed on the transplant side of the floor. The rooms are smaller, positive pressure, rooms primarily used for patients that are having bone marrow transplants. The environment is much different on this side compared to the regular oncology floor. Most of the patients are not allowed to leave their rooms and any visitors have to wear masks. These kids can be here for weeks at a time, confined to their room.





To make things a little more like home, family, friends, and staff help decorate the rooms. You are allowed to paint the windows, hang posters and pictures, anything that makes you more comfortable. Some friends created a poster for Nick of a football field. The fields is broken into quarters, one for each treatment. The field has stands that include some funny pics of friends and family (we added a bit to the pictures to have a little fun).



After 10 days sleeping on a 6' by 3' couch, Deb headed home today for a much needed rest. I am sure Sam and Peter are also happy with the change, even if it is only for one day. I know it is difficult for her to leave, but the good nights sleep will help to re-charge her batteries for the last few days, and besides, tomorrow is Mother's Day and the kids have a special surprise for her!

To all the Mom's out there who read this, Happy Mother's Day. We are looking forward to having no other activities and spending the day together as a family, even if the location is not what we would have hoped for.