Day 93

We had an almost perfect run! Until yesterday... When we found ourselves back in our old stomping ground at 5C.

The last few days Shane has had a bit of an upset tummy. It started on Wednesday and continued Thursday and Friday. When we got to the hospital on Friday for the usual check ups, I dobbed Shane in. He wasn't feeling 100% when we first got there, but he improved throughout the day. Dr Jackson saw Shane and said to monitor it over the weekend, and come back if things don't improve. We were relieved to be going home.

That relief was short lived. The Doctor returned after a consulting with Dr Curley - they were admitting him:(

Or "committing" him according to Shane. It always feels like such a punishment. As if we have done something wrong, or we weren't careful enough about hygiene or food preparation or cleanliness. Sometimes it feels like what I do to help him is never enough. My rational mind tells me that these things can't be helped, but sometimes rational thinking does not prevail in these circumstances.

Fortunately I suspected that Shane would stay so I had packed a few essential items for him.

There are three possible causes of these "runny bums":
1. A Virus (as it hasn't yet produced a temperature so they suspect its not bacterial)
2. Medications (as each has a very long list of side effects, all of which have diarrhoea on them)
3. GVHD of the gut.

Clearly the last one is the biggest concern. That is why they don't waste time waiting. They are monitoring Shane over the weekend, changing some meds to IV, and booking him into have some "scopes" done early next week. You can only imagine what that entails!

Naturally, Shane hasn't been to the toilet since yesterday morning. The nurses are jokingly calling him a fraud. Today however, things seem to be more troublesome at the other end. He hasn't been able to keep food down all day and he has a cracker headache:(

This last week the doctors have changed a few of his medications. Apparently this can knock people around and cause lots of fun side effects like headaches. Shane's blood pressure is quite sensitive to these meds so he's been on medication for that also. Last week they changed medications to improve his Tacro (immunosuppresant) levels. Don't forget the reduction of steroids can always lead to possible GVHD.

Today's picture was taken on Tuesday when we went for our evening walk. I try to get Shane out daily, but its more like weekly when it actually happens! Some days Shane has some energy and is capable of doing things. Things like - spending all night out with the "Boys" after the footy last friday night. Leaving his wife at home worrying like crazy. By the way Boys - not happy!

I promise to keep you updated a little more regularly!

xx