Day +10

Well things have been progressing pretty much according to the plan. We head off to Stanford every other day. The nurse takes labs and vitals etc. While waiting for lab results there is either a chest x-ray or visit from dietitian or something or other scheduled. Labs take about an hour and a half and then they decide what's on the menu ... whatever it is for the day is hung from the IV (magnesium, potassuim, platelets ... more hydration) and drips in for a few hours. During that time the doc visits to review meds, check out skin rashes etc. We have the early shift (arrive 7am) and therefore usually done by noon. Apart from the fatigue, Andrew is doing/feeling OK. His blood counts are very low as Grant's stem cells make their way to Andrew's marrow to mature. It is important therefore to take all sorts of precautions to keep the germs away. We wash our hands obsessively, follow all the protocols for home (cleaning and special diet etc) and Andrew keeps away from the maddening crowds and wears a big old mask if he ventures out. With mum here to look after everything on the home front I was able to have a nice run on Saturday and watch both Angus and Alice play soccer on Sunday. Feels like we are having an extended summer here - nice!