Generic Title #3495a

Myla seems to be doing well in general today, but there are signs that she is developing the mouth sores that are a common side effect of chemo treatment. Plus, the medical staff has indicated that she might soon begin sporting the James Carville look. The greater danger, however, is the increasing risk of infection. Her latest ANC is .7, so she is basically without a defense against infection, and she can get infected from bacteria that she already has both on and in her. These next few days are critical.

Raul Matthew and I loaded up the Griswold and spent some time at the Cool Creek Nature Center today. Thanks to Mike and the Sears family for the tank of gas! Highlights of the adventure at Cool Creek included a portrait of Raul Matthew the explorer, tree sap on a stick, an interesting mushroom, a walk in the woods, an interesting stump, a lone leaf, and the most awesome picture in the planet ever of a raccoon. Oh, so the raccoon picture didn't work for you? That's because it scurried up the inside of the tree the split second before I pressed the shutter, leaving with only this picture of fur and claws. We ended up going to Cool Creek because Conner Prairie was closed for the season.

9:20 PM...Myla is sounding congested as she is sleeping, but Julie didn't think the congestion was in her chest, but instead something called mucositus--a byproduct of the chemo and a sign that mouth sores on the way. Thanks to Mike for another visit--that's him holding Myla in the previously linked picture.

We learned that Raul Matthew is NOT a bone marrow match for Myla, so we're figuring out what that means.

Raul Matthew and I learned that we had won tickets to the Colts game tomorrow, and that includes a pizza party at the stadium for our group and a tour down on the field. Of course, we'll be in church instead, but I just might be able to create some pictures that look exactly as if we had actually been at the game.

Melissa's mother, Carole Byrom, continues to be a major help to us. She has been in the hospital room with Melissa basically 23.5/7 since we arrived, and that has been a great help to Melissa when it has come to changing diapers, unsnagging chemo lines, ordering meals, answering the phone, etc. We definitely appreciate her help!