Monday, October 24, 2011

Day -4 of Stem Cell Transplant #1

The weekend began and the tiresome showers were thankfully coming to an end. Theofanis was being bathed every six hours in order to protect his skin from the chemo drug called Thiotepa which he received the past three consecutive days. This particular drug is excreted from the skin and can cause rashes. Although dry, his skin did not flare up. Except, though in the area around the dressing that protects his central line where it had become extremely irritated from the constant removal and placement of adhesive tape. This was painful for Theofanis. And although he was super brave when the nurses would put alcohol to sterilize that area of his chest, you could tell that Theofanis just wanted to scream.

But, Theofanis didn't feel like really screaming, either. He was nauseaus. He was throwing up. He didn't want to eat. He was groggy from the anti-nausea medicines, too.

And, for as much as Kosta tried to keep him busy throughout the day by doing some homework or legos or Wii, there wasn't much energy in Theo to do much of anything. He watched sports and caught some of the World Series, though. Eleni and Kosta were both able to spend the night with Theofanis while Demetra and Sophia had a sleepover with their friend Stefanie. And he did seem to be comforted by the fact that both his parents were with him overnight.

So, on Day -4 Theofanis received a high dose of Cyclophosphamide and Mesna. Day -4 was not a great day for him. The doctors, however, continued to affirm that they believe that so far, he's doing great.

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