Days 11 through 14 of the Journey

Could it be?  Have they started to appear?  YES!
The stem cells have started to en-graft and create white blood cells.  The few white blood cells that have been created have zeroed in on Janell's throat and mouth to fight the mucositis and start the healing process.  Mucositis is the result of the powerful chemo killing rapidly growing cells of the gastro-intestinal tract (mouth, throat, esophagus).  The tongue, mouth and throat become inflamed, raw and white in appearance with tiny sores and blisters.  When the white blood cells start appearing, they rush to these areas and start fighting.

The results.....she is able to swallow with a little less strain and pain.  She is able to drink water slowly and to eat soft foods (very slowly).  The pain and nausea are still there, but is being regulated by intravenous medicines.  These medicines can be very sedating, especially when her medical team is trying to get her pain down from a 10+ to a 2 or 3 on a scale of pain from "Zero to Ten."

Janell is still very tired and naps quite frequently.  It is entertaining to see her hold her book on her lap, gaze at the page and drift off to sleep.  Then one of her IV regulating machines will BBBBEEEEEEPPPPP, startling Janell awake.  I will include a picture with the next post which she doesn't know I took.  (Yes, I'll probably get in trouble when she gets much better, but that is OK!).  She has been on page 139 in her book for the last four days.  I have gotten into her bed beside her and read further to her, but she doesn't remember what happened because her head gently falls onto my shoulder and she quietly snores.

I praise GOD for the opportunity to see humor in all of this and to be able to lovingly tease her.