Day 30: Clinic Day

Today is clinic day. It's Ian's only getaway outside the monastery other than his daily walk. Every Tuesday and Friday we head up to the bone marrow transplant clinic at UCSF for blood work, vitals, and check-in meetings with his NP and/or doctor. They closely monitor his blood counts, kidney function, and level of immuno-suppressant as well as check out any rashes or other questionable symptoms. Everyone in the waiting room wears a mask and has to use hand sanitizer before entering. It's a little piece of the world where everyone there is in a similar situation. Sometimes I want to ask each of the other patients and caretakers their story, but right now I'm too involved in my own...

Today was an extra long clinic day. We had a lot of issues to check out. Rashes continue to pop up, but right now they are thinking it is most likely due to dry skin. This can escalate if the skin becomes too irritated from being dry, triggering GVHD, so moisturizing is very important. I've found that getting this man to moisturize is no small task, however. I'm going to add lotion to the list of meds to check off daily on the white board...and have Uriah crack the whip!

Mouth sores and bleeding came back last night, and today's blood counts confirmed that his platelets have dipped down to almost nothing. He is getting a transfusion today, and will have to come in this Sunday for an extra blood draw to make sure his counts are at a safe level. They are thinking a weekend drug was the culprit and will stop it this weekend to see if his platelets return next week.

Ian has also been having a strange abdominal pain the past few days and had an ultrasound today to check that out. His gall bladder was "thickened" but nothing else seemed unusual, so they are ordering a CT scan early next week. They are also starting him on Pepcid in case it's an ulcer. He has been in quite a bit of pain from it tonight.

So today I'm sharing all the details, just to give you a window on where we are at and how to pray. Every day is different with new symptoms popping up, and sometimes old ones fading away. There are a lot of mystery symptoms that require a bit of time and strategic maneuvering to get to the bottom of, especially when there are so many potent medications involved.

It's been a long day. We always have a lot of good laughs at the clinic, but it also takes a lot of energy commuting there and back and bouncing around appointments here and there. My sweet parents watched the kids all day and put them to sleep without me since we didn't get back until after bedtime. I'm so thankful for them!

Speaking of which, my dad is going home to Oklahoma on Tuesday and my mom may leave soon, too. They need rest. They have poured out so much to serve and support us during this crazy time. I am forever grateful!