April 7, 2023: Day +9: The Ups and the Downs

Friday, April 7, 2023 · by kathy howe

Dr. Gupta confirmed that engraftment has started so that is the super great news!

The down side is that nausea, and its BFF vomit,  are here in full force (rolling over in bed made him vomit 😞) so we are fending it off with multiple medications: ativan, benedryl and now compazine and Aloxi.  

He’s been sleeping most of the day but he did wake up and ask for a Clementine San Pellegrino 😋 — so John will be bringing a few over.

And no video gaming so you know he’s feeling bad.

The good news is the white blood cells are back and can start fighting off all the nasty things causing his mucositis. Many patients have many days of feeling like complete crap *before* they engraft so I think (touch wood) Sam is ahead on this axis too. 

Fingers crossed.

It’s hard to watch him feel like ass. 

#FULeukemia

#LFGStemCells

#TeamSamStrong

♥ 43 hearts

22 comments

John Lilly · Friday, April 7, 2023
The good news keeps coming, with the exception of Sam’s nausea. So sorry for that; know it’s miserable for him. Go Sam!
David Hornik · Friday, April 7, 2023
Sucks. Hope it doesn’t last too long.
Lizette Esquenazi · Friday, April 7, 2023
Kathy, Sam, you and your family are a constant in my prayers. Hugs to you!
Dana Lilly · Friday, April 7, 2023
Good news with a touch of nausea. Hang in there, Sam. Hopefully you can get back to playing your video games soon. Hugs to all ❤️
Jean Brady · Friday, April 7, 2023
Stay positive!
Anabel Pearson · Friday, April 7, 2023
Hope nausea improves soon! Sleeping it off is the best way for him to handle things! He is so smart and knows how to handle his symptoms!! Go Sam you got this !!
Helen Yeni-Komshian · Friday, April 7, 2023
Thinking of you all so much and sending good wishes your way.
Paulo Correia · Friday, April 7, 2023
You know what it is... it's stem cells spray painting "STEM CELLS BEEN HERE!" inside cancer's ass! ;)

All apologies and credit to JB Smoove.
Bryan Rollins · Friday, April 7, 2023
Doctors always told me I'd often feel worse when my body was winning the fight. I wanted to tell them to get out of my face and hand me another barf bag. #winning

What do we want?
EN-GRAFT-MENT!
When do we want it?
NOW!
Wait did we get it?
YES!
Wow that's really great news.
YES IT IS!
Why are we still shouting?
BECAUSE WE'RE EXCITED!
Still, all caps?
YES. ALL CAPS, ALL DAY.
Jennifer Gaunce · Friday, April 7, 2023
All caps all day may be my new motto. GO SAM!
kathy howe · Saturday, April 8, 2023
Keep cheering this cheer until later next week please! Got the start but need the middle and the finish too.
Jim Mack · Friday, April 7, 2023
So sorry he is feeling badly but so so excited that engraftment is underway!!!
Jim and Barbara
J'Ann Schoonmaker Allen · Saturday, April 8, 2023
So happy about the engraftment, but oh, so very sorry about the nausea! Prayers and lots and lots of good thoughts
shelley watanabe · Saturday, April 8, 2023
So glad to hear it's going well. Sam's gonna be not sick soon. Go Team Sam!
Andrew Korb · Saturday, April 8, 2023
So proud of all of you. I want to do something in solidarity with Sam - just so he knows he's not alone. So I've decided to drink some Clementine San Pellegrino. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for the idea!
Helen Yeni-Komshian · Saturday, April 8, 2023
Hoping the video games come back soon. Go Sam!!!
Cindy McLaughlin · Saturday, April 8, 2023
Poor kid. Sending calm stomach vibes and lots of sweet sleep. xox
joelle kaufman · Saturday, April 8, 2023
If Cinvanti or Emend are possible, they deliver a three day reprieve from nausea and vomiting. Good luck to Sam. He’s doing so well with something so crappy.
kathy howe · Saturday, April 8, 2023
Thank you Joelle! We got Aloxi which is a 4 day acting med. I don’t know cinvanti and the nurse said Emend works better the chemo meds (but he did have strong chemo meds 2 weeks ago for his conditioning treatment 🤷🏼‍♀️).
Frederic GARDERES · Saturday, April 8, 2023
So happy to read the engraftment is taking. Long road ahead, but few little steps in the right direction were made. (My eyes are wetting a little bit here).
Thank you Science.
Suchi Sairam · Saturday, April 8, 2023
Raising a Clementine San Pellegrino in Sam's honor! Sending positive energy for his stomach to settle ❤️ #TeamSam
Gowri G · Sunday, April 9, 2023
Go Sam! Hope the Clementine SP goes down smooth. ❤️