We will start this out with good news. Today was John's third day this week to harvest stem cells. He needed a little over 2 million more to reach the 8 million mark necessary to start the high dose chemo. HE DID IT! He produced enough new stem cells in the previous 24 hours to get up over 8 million. It must have been the Chef Boyardee Spaghetti and Meatballs that he ate for lunch yesterday. I am sure it has many nutritional ingredients. Well maybe not, but nonetheless he does not have to go back tomorrow to sit for another 3 hours and hope.
It was a busy day for us both but a little busier for me. I got to try my hand at several different trades as John's "caregiver".
On John's chest where the catheter comes out it must be covered by a dressing every minute to keep it sterile. Well as you can probably guess that dressing needs to be changed and I am the lucky person to take care of that between his hospital stays. 
This is not just a simple band aid change. This is a multi-step, multi-glove procedure with many rules. So here I am....ready for my new duty as "nurse". John says I did a good job and I suppose I can only improve. Good thing I am not like John and get light headed at the sight of blood. Yep...I am one of those odd people that enjoys anything medical.
This is not just a simple band aid change. This is a multi-step, multi-glove procedure with many rules. So here I am....ready for my new duty as "nurse". John says I did a good job and I suppose I can only improve. Good thing I am not like John and get light headed at the sight of blood. Yep...I am one of those odd people that enjoys anything medical.But my duties today did not end there....
After a couple loads of laundry it was time for trade #2...........Hair Stylist. John asked me to cut his hair.....which was much needed as you can see.
I figured...I have seen plenty of What Not To Wear episodes.....if Nick can cut hair why can't I? John said he trusted me. Maybe that was his first mistake......
You shave a little mohawk into the nice guys hair and all of a sudden he becomes a Bad Ass. He begged me to let him keep the mohawk and that when his treatment was over maybe he could get a Harley, but I had to say no and bring him back down to earth and the guy we all know and love........
His partner in treatment (Nick) lost his peach fuzz the second day of high dose chemo, so John wanted to prepare for just that. I can't imagine what it is like to lose your hair, but I can understand why he would want to make the process as easy as possible. Last time he went through chemo it fell out in patches and I suppose having it this short will make it less noticable when it starts to go. As I am sure you all would guess....John is being a Trooper through all of this. I bet it is very hard for an active guy to feel worn out all the time when he isn't even working out. I am proud of his strength and positivity in these trying times.
Chef was my last trade of the day and then we lounged around and watched a movie.
Tomorrow is another day full of medical appointments. I have a feeling John will have plenty to say about it tomorrow night.
Sweet dreams all!
I don't know, I thought the mohawk look was cool!!!
ReplyDeleteI liked the mohawk too but I think you have to be black now to sport the mohawk (or fro-hawk as it is called).....at least that's what all the basketball players have. Maybe you can spin it the other way and come up with a jeri-curl?
ReplyDeleteThat's ok, pretty soon you'll be sleek and aerodynamic so that's all good too :)
Sounds like you're doing well. Keep up the good work buddy!
By the way, after your post last week I decided to try out Whole Foods too. Even though they are all over California I had boycotted them up until now. There's actually a TON of pretty cool stuff in there.....I just have never heard of any of it before! I'll probably stick with the "normal" grocery stores though, you know, places where you can by Nattie :)
Good luck on the hi-dose. I'll be thinking of you guys.
Barnesy
Dude that West shirt is almost 20 years old.....reminds me of the Cincinnati Bengals sweatshirt that dad still wears from 1989!!! They both need to go!!!! I like the new hair style but you really need to quit trying to be like me.....I know I'm the shit but come on quit living your life through me!!! Talk to you later. Royals have now won six in a row!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures. Love the haircuts. You should be here to cut your Dad's hair. Congrats on the stem cells. I knew you had it in you John boy. By the way, since you see such a huge number of dressed dogs, perhaps you could find just the right outfit for our little Peanut. He really needs to look like a New Yorker. Love the blogs. Keep up the great work. Love to you both. Mom
ReplyDeleteWhen you are all done, might I suggest a Mullet or a "Tail"...
ReplyDelete