Day 4 - May 10th

Overall a better day.  Ryan got another "6 pack" today - platelets, that is.  He's becoming a 6-pack-a-day kinda guy!

They also added a little color with some more red cell transfusions.

His daily numbers are:  WBC:104,000, Hbg: 5 (7 after transfusions), Platelets 20 (50 after the 6 pack).

He started his steroids today.  He'll get mega-dose steroids for 3 days, then start his IV chemo (Cytoxan) on Sunday.  There is a complicated regimen of 3 powerful chemo drugs (Cytoxan, methotrexate and a third one I can't remember) at various times over the next 3 weeks. 

Because these drugs don't cross the blood-brain barrier, he also gets chemo directly into his cerebrospinal fluid (CSF - the fluid that coats the brain and spinal cord) via a spinal tap.  His first tap was today right after the platelets to prevent bleeding at the site.  Waiting all day in anticipation was the hardest part.  He tolerated it well - compared to the bone marrow biopsy the discomfort was minimal.

The really good news is that there were no cancer cells in the CSF they drew off to test before injecting the chemo.

Ryan's spirits are better.  A dear friend from New Hampshire was able to spend the afternoon and evening with him.  He was Ryan's YM leader years ago in Glens Falls and reached out to Ryan at a time when he was kind of unreachable.  He is a funny guy and his visit was just the right medicine.

Sophia's brother will stay on a cot in Ryan's room tonight and Sophia will hopefully get a good nights rest at home.

Tomorrow will be more steroids, maybe some more blood, and some rest.  We're going to cater his favorite foods over the next 2 days before the nausea and appetite effects of the chemo hit.

Thanks and our love to all of you!!

Barb