Day Nine of the Second Round of Chemo

            The second round of chemo ended Thursday, 24 April. I just talked to David on the phone and he sounds good.

            News item: David has had substantial esophageal pain for several weeks that makes swallowing and eating difficult. Eating being a major component of his treatment, this has been a constant problem. The doctors decided to sedate David and send a tube down his throat. They identified a specific viral infection, and a specific anti-viral medication is available to destroy said virus. So they have added another medication to deliver through the IV port in his chest. They also found another microbe causing infection: score two for the home team. Many of his fever events have been of unknown origin; it’s cheering to find some specific causes.

            David’s eyesight continues to be poor. He uses disposable sunglasses from ophthalmology over his glasses when he cruises the halls. He rarely uses his computer: he sleeps more, eating takes a big chunk of time, and there are frequent medical exams and the taking of vital signs.

            Some of you have asked how to send messages to David. The easiest would be to comment on this blog. I’ll pass along the greetings to him.

            Jim and I are in Utah; our niece was married in the Salt Lake Temple on Thursday. We’re grateful to the Bethesda locals who have visited David this week, especially my brother Steve and David’s bishop. Steve is trying to convert David to the Nationals baseball team. Don’t think so.