Nurse Sam back in action

I leave for 3 days and come back to this! Nice way to welcome me back to Calgary.... with a snow storm. (Fyi- I didn't bring this weather with me)

A quick note:

I am currently enrolled in a private dental hygiene college in Hamilton Ontario (armpit of Canada or most beautiful city... if you like steel factories, downtown creatures and methadone clinics). As Friday January 28th was the last day of my 2nd semester, I felt it necessary to go back to Hamilton for a couple days to write a final and complete a couple clinical assessments, in order to be promoted to my 3rd and final semester. I am thankful that my school has been supportive and accommodating in regards to my father's situation, as we have managed to work together to put my 2nd semester behind me, and allow my primary focus to be my Dad. I am currently in a 2 week semester break, with my first day of classes for my 3rd semester beginning on Feb. 15th. My school has granted me these 2 weeks to decide if I am going to return to finish with my current classmates, or if I am going to defer, and finish when the next semester begins mid August.

Enough about me! Back to my main man....

As I mentioned in my last post, my Dad has finished his first round of chemo agents. This week his blood counts showed that his WBC, hemoglobin, and platelet levels have completely bottomed out. With his numbers reaching all time lows, he was given a couple platelet and blood transfusions. The doctor has informed us that his body will be dependent 1-2 transfusions per week until his marrow begins to produce enough of his own blood cells. (All blood cells -WBC, RBC, are produced in the bone marrow) With his platelet levels being as low as they are, he has experienced some gingiva bleeding while brushing...I guess that job should be left to the expert. At this point, my Dad is deemed immunocompromised, which makes him extremely susceptible to contracting any virus or infection. (This is where the bleach showers I discussed would come in handy) The counts should begin to go up around day 23-28, today is day 15. At that time they will test his bone marrow again to determine if he has attained remission. This has placed us in a sort of holding period, as we roll with the punches of no immune system.

On Thursday he was given his first 'pass' to leave the hospital for the afternoon. Kelly and my Dad went home and were able to have lunch with a real knife and fork and watch some golf. Today we were given another pass and have been lounging around... watching golf (it's winter, why is golf on), having lunch, being 'normal'. I think it was hard for my Dad to leave the safety of the hospital at first, but once home visits become more routine, I believe they will come to be therapeutic for him.

I wanted to send out a massive THANK YOU for the unconditional support we have received thus far. Kelly and I have brought all the cards to the hospital, read him the comments on the blog, and are working out way through the emails. I know it may not seem like your doing much, but every prayer, thought or word he has received will positively aid his journey towards complete remission.