Day +6 thru Day +11

Hey all – this is Karen again. Tony is fine. Sorry for the long delay in getting a message out. I know we told you all this is how we would keep you posted and then a week goes by without a peep from us. Well, that must mean we don't have much to report and as Gary Gnus used to say, “No Gnus is good Gnus” :)

Tony has spent the week dealing with pain in his “pooper” - Kind of like hemorrhoids on steroids. (Caused by last week's diarrhea.) This pain has been so terrible that he has been given several different kinds of pain meds to help manage it. The pain has been so terrible, that he is clenching his muscles so hard that for the last couple of days he cannot pee, either. The pain has been so terrible because he cannot heal.

None of this is dangerous or monumental, but it is ceaseless, constant discomfort. He has not been in an awesome mood, but is keeping a pretty decent attitude considering. We all knew this would be hard, it is just the different ways that it is hard that is keeping us on our toes.

For all of you loved ones who are far away and feel helpless. I think it might be just as hard to be here watching the pain and discomfort with nothing to offer but your hand and a smile. Companionship and love are wonderful, necessary parts of this process for Tony, but this week has shown me how hard it is to be inside of it all but outside at the same time.

So, to recap – Everything is progressing as it should. The Doctors are looking for Tony's cell counts to rebound in a few more days. He is managing as best he can; taking it day by day. I am doing the same. Keep sending healing prayers, thoughts, good juju, and Dark Chocolate (jk) our way! Love you all!!