Bald Guy

Friday, Mark's hair started falling out in clumps, so the CNA offered to shave his head. Now, he can join the gang of bald guys! Why is it that the bald guys we know don't look like cancer patients? For almost the ten years that Mark has been a cancer patient, he hasn't looked like one. Just get a little chemo, and now he does! So, do you bald guys get cold heads? His was, but the only available beanie on the floor was bright yellow. When our daughter, Rachel, saw it on her dad, she immediately went shopping for an appropriate beanie! 

Friday and Saturday, Mark was feeling much better, except for the excess 30 lbs. of water weight. He's on Lasix to get some of it out of his system. Fluids have collected around his lungs, so he coughs a lot, but thankfully it's not in his lungs. He says that his legs and feet feel like stumps that are hard to lift. 

The hospital bed hasn't helped his situation, either. Yesterday and this morning, he had excruciating back spasms that were finally controlled with muscle relaxers, pain killers, and prayer. Unfortunately, it seems that as soon as one problem is under control, something else crops up.

Labs this morning showed an impressive rise in white blood cells! That means his immune system can function again. Platelets are still low, but they will follow. Numbers also show increased kidney function. Everything is moving in the right direction except for two labs numbers. Bilirubin went up, but not significantly. There are no current signs of infection, so blockage is likely on the left side of the liver, where a cluster of tumors is present. His alkaline phosphatase increased, as well, which could indicate decreased liver function. The T-cell warriors need to attack those tumors ASAP! That just takes time, so labs will need to be done regularly to monitor that situation.      

Today Mark isn't feeling so perky. He is weak and unsteady on his feet. His dose of hydrocortisone was reduced significantly, so maybe it was too much. It's always such a guessing game. He will continue to be monitored closely.

If he is feeling well enough, Mark could go home as early as tomorrow afternoon or Tuesday morning. He has already been in the hospital for 25 days, so he is definitely ready to go home. On the other hand, being here gives peace of mind since constant monitoring allows any problems to be detected and addressed immediately. We're so thankful for the incredible doctors and nurses that are kind, caring, and competent!! 

(I'm always amazed when I see his photos. He can feel quite miserable, 

but when he poses for a picture, he always manages a big smile!)