Rounding Cape Horn

There has been a shift in the way I'm hearing the doctors and nurses. Though it's clear to everyone that we're going through a perilous stretch, rounding Cape Horn, there are different takes on the info we're presented with. I'm choosing to see him the way Dr Callandar does, as very vulnerable as is to be expected with how low, low, low his blood counts were before he got a full body slam from the sumo wrestler Cytoxin, but with nothing we can see to preclude him coming out the other side of this. She is the most experienced, most "expert" and has known him for the longest stretch, and she is not surprised by what she's seeing. Giving him the Cytoxin was risky, but with the myeloma flaring and his historic resiliency she felt it was a risk worth taking. And I agreed with her.

On the numbers front, his white blood count is the relevant indicator of where he is in his rounding the Horn. They are .6 as of this morning and will likely drop to zero, stay there and then slowly, slowly rise from the dead. The "worrisome" doc just came through and is sending the palliative care team in to see if they have any ideas how to make the guy more comfortable.

They're going to give him steroids, dexamethazone, and I take back all my historical aversion to it! It likely will perk him up, help fight the myeloma and reduce the blood calcium which is the latest "worrisome" symptom. It seems like a great idea. Chris is showing up this early eve, and Bob and Roberta on Friday. He may be only able to feel their presence, unless the steroids really perk him.

I showed up at 2:30 last night; couldn't sleep without worry attacks. He was sleeping with his Ipod playing All Albums; I spent the night DJing his music for maximum joy and peace. We're listening to Jan Garbarec's Officium right now. Check it out, it's some of his soul music, along with Celia Cruz when he needs to rouse.

Rounding Cape Horn; pray for "steady as she goes" weather.