A Long Lost Update
We haven’t posted an update for a while. I think it is because we don’t really know what to say. I know Burrell plans to post his own update at some point talking about the care he received while inpatient, so I will leave the nitty gritty of that to him.
Inpatient went as well as it could with minimal side effects, so we are grateful. The staff at UChicago was excellent, and I am extremely grateful that I was able to be there with him 24/7. That helped tremendously. We were even happier when we came home earlier than expected. The kitties were ecstatic because they missed their daddy (apparently, the pets I give them are not good enough).
We have been home for one month. It is a waiting game. Waiting to see if the treatment works. Taking meds. Multiple follow-ups every week. Patience, oh so much patience. Some days it is extremely easy to have patience, while others it isn’t. Watching blood counts can be like watching the stock market. One day you’re up and the next you’re down. You’re just hoping and praying that it just levels out in the right place. Yep, I just compared blood levels to the stock market. That’s the best comparison I have right now, so hang with me.
Here are some sites to learn about what exactly we are looking for to come up and why they are important:
Overall, Burrell is doing well. Side effects remain at a minimum compared to what they could be. He is still getting regular transfusions, but that isn’t a surprise. The goal is to see them happen less frequently. Spirits and sense of humor remain pretty high in the house, which is needed because we can’t venture out. If you need ideas of shows to watch, ask us. We have a rotation.
In the coming days we will post some ways that you can help, whether you are local to Chicago or in some far away land (I hope it’s a sunnier, warmer land). Burrell’s birthday is coming up, so we want to celebrate him, and help others along the way. More about that later though.
In the meantime, Burrell has lost hope that his Bulls will go anywhere in the playoffs so he is joining me in cheering for my team. Go Pelicans!
Shannon