The evil temptress is back...

Today we learned that the evil temptress Ms. CMV is back. We were prepared to see her again, but we were really hoping she would stay away. Oh well, as the doctor said, "don't be discouraged. This is treatable." Since Mr. Ganciclovir proved ineffective last time, and Mr. Foscarnet made Joe pay heftily to get rid of Ms. CMV, Mr. Cidofovir is intervening this time. I like to call him Mr. Sudokuvir...but anyway...

We will go to the hospital tomorrow. Joe will receive fluids for three hours. Cidofovir will be infused over 2 hours. Then there will be an additional two hours of something, but we're not so clear on what yet. :) I will have to report back! Cidofovir only needs to be given once a week, and apparently the very first treatment is much longer than the ones that follow. So tomorrow is a long day, but next Thursday should be a bit better. So far the plan is two Thursdays of Cidofovir, then a week off, and another Thursday of Cidofovir. Hopefully by then Joe will test negative for CMV. If not, he'll continue to get Cidofovir every other week.

Today Joe tried something new. It's called Mepron. It looks like bright yellow paint, or maybe French's classic yellow mustard. Apparently it tastes like fruity plastic. It is used to prevent pneumonia. Originally Joe was given Bactrim when his counts started to rise post-transplant. When Joe's counts started to drop, he was taken off the Bactrim and given a Pentamidine, which is inhaled. The Pentamidine is a monthly treatment. Unfortunately, it was discovered that those in the hospital responsible for administering Pentamidine weren't exactly doing it correctly. This understandably made Joe's doctor nervous. So Joe was given a prescription for Mepron. You have to take it once daily, and it is much worse than swallowing pills. Joe is convinced the doctors enjoy coming up with new ways to torture him! However, the upside is that the drug comes with these directions: TAKE THIS MEDICINE WITH MEALS. If possible, include foods with a high fat content (whole milk, cheese, ice cream, eggs, fried foods). Joe is especially happy to have a proper excuse to eat ice cream!

Some more good news. Joe's rash looks significantly better today, and he isn't shedding as much skin either. I'm praying he is able to get a good night sleep, since tomorrow will be along day. Joe's parents kindly brought over an oven-ready meal for us so that we don't have to worry about dinner tomorrow.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
~Revelation 21:4