November 20, 2016: Day +1

Today was a day of rest. It is the first day off we have had since we arrived.  We had no doctors visits and we did not have to go to the clinic.  We actually slept until 8.  That was nice.  Unfortunately Doug woke up with a cold and a cough.  This is very concerning, because of the chemotherapy that is reducing his immune system to near nothing.  I sent a text to the doctor and he said that the medication that Doug is taking is antiviral and antibacterial.  No need to worry right now.  Tomorrow he will have blood work done to check his white blood cell count and he will see the doctors.  We will know more then if there is anything else that can be done.  He sure does not feel very well.  He is very tired from the chemotherapy and stem cell transplant, however I think this cold is making it much worse.  I look foward to talking to the doctors more about this tomorrow. Getting this cold is very bad timing! Hopefully it won't become serious.

 I spent the day getting the house ready for Doug going into neutroprenia (an extremely low white blood cell count).That included washing sheets, towels, disinfecting counters, light swtiches and counter tops. Also it was the last day to eat normal food. I made a big pot of  homemade chicken noodle soup. From here out we will eat feeze dried food that can be reconstituted to assure that Doug eats the safest food which will limit his chance of eating anything that may cause him to become ill because the food was not cooked long enough or the chances of it harboring other types of risk due to pestisides, E. coli or other bacteria.

This is my last day to walk to the store for the next week.  We needed a few cleaning items and other food supplies for me mostly. I enjoyed the walk and mused about missing the opportunity this next week to do some more exploring.  It will be very strange to be in isolation in the house when it is 70 degrees outside. Each time I go to the store, I am amazed at all the items that you find in the stores here that you also find in any grocery stores in the U.S.  The fun part is seeing the items we do not have.  Like hard alcholol and other varieties of fruit.

I am going to close for now.  I ask anyone reading this blog to keep Doug in their prayers.  I am very concerned with him getting a cold right now, when he has such a limited immune system

Holy One, in your infinite wisdom you are doing more for us than we can ask for or imagine.  We thank you for the positive response that Doug has had to the chemotherapy and stem cell transplannt. Be with him now as he struggles with this cold.  We pray you will continue to heal his body, mind and spirit and bring him to new health.  In Christ's name we ask it. Amen