Day + 24 -- Joyous Easter

This morning Doug seemed weaker than yesterday, and not as coordinated hand to mouth. I had been warned by the nurses to expect fluctuation day to day, and even from morning to afternoon; I was concerned but not overly worried. He rallied big time in the afternoon!

He learned how to use the walker to transfer from the bed to a nearby recliner, sat up for an hour, and also transferred to a commode. No more bedpans! After Doug got back to bed and settled down for a nap, I went to lunch. He never got his nap; after I left, the physical therapist came and assisted Doug in walking 70 feet using the walker. First time he has walked since his heart-stopping episodes last Saturday. The nurse told me that Doug did very well. He sat in the recliner for another hour later for supper. Each time he moves around is good exercise.

The oncologist came and decided to pull the feeding tube -- he told Doug that if he does not eat enough, the tube goes back in. Doug has to eat at least three small meals plus three bottles of Ensure between meals. He is eating by sheer willpower. Lunch was five bites of mashed potatoes but for supper he ate pureed chicken noodle soup and pureed peaches. Takes too much of his energy to chew so for another day or so I think pureed is the way to go. His taste buds are fried from the chemo so nothing tastes good and he has dry mouth. Who knew eating could be such a challenge.

The stem cells have engrafted and Doug's blood counts are good, so from a transplant standpoint he doesn't have to be in the hospital now. I'm not sure when the cardiologist will think he is ready for discharge; soon I hope. His general condition has to improve a whole lot, but it will.

Doug is doing his breathing exercises, eating, walking, spending more time out of bed, using the commode -- so many goals achieved today!

I hope you all had a Happy Easter. God is good.