Tough Day (not for Will)

I'd call this a "something to look forward to" picture. Will and I were taking a dip in the pool a couple days ago and I looked at this scene: Willie swimming, the sun coming through the oak trees, and the orange hammock that Rosina bought in Brasil last summer in Paraty (pronounced para-chee). I had to get in the pool with the camera to get the exact right angle, then printed a big version. It's hanging in Rosina's hospital room so she can think about being there. She will be. A nice thing about short hair, a girl doesn't have to worry about jumping in the pool.
Things changed quite a bit from yesterday. She had to do a lot of test type things - draw blood several times, have a chest x-ray - which they do in your room, and get an ultrasound to make sure the line in her arm is okay. It is. But she has a fever and is not feeling well in general. Getting out of bed and walking is a bit tough. She's itchy. She asked me to find the softest sheets I could as the hospital ones have become irritating. But these things are to be expected (we're told) and it is close to the tenth day. Tomorrow could be worse, and even the next day, but then she should start to slowly lift back up. She's hanging tough. Early next week she'll need another bone marrow biopsy when they'll take out a little piece of bone (where cells are produced) to really look at the cells that are there - or not there. We're trying to get rid of the bad cells.
She's gotten at least one more transfusion. Thanks to you all who've been able to give blood, and also thanks to those of you who'd like to but can't for one reason or another. They are (thankfully) picky. I saw on a chart that a leukemia patient will typically needs 6-8 units (pints) of blood during their "induction" therapy (the initial chemo).
My nephew Dan was stuck in Las Vegas in 100 degree heat and decided to drive to Los Angeles and help out for the weekend. Nice. I told Will that he was coming and Will asked me if he was going to sleep in his car. We're actually letting him sleep inside. Thanks for all your thoughts and every possible denominational prayer that has been sent Rosina's way.




Paraty, August 2006