The day that Michael was admitted, there was another man,there with his mother, Michael and Pat KAnzig, being admitted for the same thing. We, the mothers had a few minutes to chat while our sons were having blood work done. We exchanged phone numbers, hoping to connect later. In the ensuing days we only saw each other a few times, due to the chaos of everything that we were going through. One day we chatted and talked about our families. I showed her pictures of my littlest daughter, 4 1/2 year old Lindi. I didn't think much of it until a few days later a friend of mine from Leduc, Arlene Travnik showed up at Michaels' hospital room. I was somewhat surprised to see her, and especially to see that she had made her way to the room where Michael was.??? We spoke briefly and she explained that Michael and Pat,that we had met the first day were her brother and mother. When her mother told her about us she knew who we were and found her way down to Michael's room and invited me to join them, her family, her mother, Pat, sister, Cheryl, who was her brothers donor, and her nieces, Sara and Paige, and her husband, and her husbands, parents for dinner at Paige's home. I had been feeling a little homesick for my family and kids about this time and was overwhelmed with their kindness to someone that they did not even know. They dinner was amazing. Paige's husband is a chef and everything was beautiful and definitely the best food I had had since....well for a long while. WOW!!! The company was fabulous. It was a wonderful time. I laughed and didn't worry for a couple of hours. I was again touched at the generousity of not just these people, but of our Heavenly Father for the tender mercies that he sent through a warm and loving friend.
I was not the only one feeling the weight of the separation from my family. Lindi had gone to stay at Cindy' home away from the family, and although she seemed to be doing ok, had started exhibiting behaviors that would tell us she was feeling stressed. Jim was back at home, feeling the weight of not having me there and also having Lindi gone and Michael very sick. Andrew called one night crying and wanted to know if it was ok if he came to see me because he just missed m. Jim decided to come down that weekend. IT was a relief to spend some time together and with Lindi. Jim ended up not being able to leave Lindi and took her home so that she would not be away from the family for so long. I think it was as much for him as it was for her. I think having here there was a comfort to him. She is a warm, loving and happy child.
About this time Michael's severe nausea had continued and he was having trouble keeping much down. Twice the doctors gave him day passes from the hospital and both times I had to bring him back. This lasted until about nine days after transplant. About that time he was able to come home for two days and was thrilled that he could finally eat .... until the morning of the second day. He awoke with his mouth feeling pretty sore, so he asked for just a milk shake for breakfast. He drank it and then promptly lost it onto the kitchen floor. Well, we headed back to the hospital and that was the beginning of a severe case of mucositis, a side effect of chemotherapy which causes death of the fast growing cells, particularly affected are the mouth, through the complete digestive tract. This looks like ulcerations, bleeding and sores through the area, making eating and drinking nearly impossible. Also accompanying this is an overproduction of mucus and saliva and an inability to swallow it. It will be a long a very painful two weeks.
9 years ago
