Day 9

I asked the doctor a little bit more about the need to filter our water at home and he said that we could always just boil any water Sawyer drinks or uses to brush his teeth (no need to worry about the shower). But I think I'll feel better if we put some sort of system at least on our kitchen sink. The doctor said that systems are available at Home Depot and Lowe's and that they're pretty standard, so it shouldn't be a big deal.

Mark had asked the doctor a few days ago about Sawyer's ability to go hiking. It sounds like for about the first year Sawyer shouldn't be more than a few hours from a trailhead (i.e. a car to get him to the hospital if needed) and definitely no overnight backpacking, just day trips. That means a weeklong backpacking trip they had hoped to do over the summer will need to be postponed.

Overall Sawyer is feeling good from his chemo treatment yesterday but still struggles with some stomach issues: some pains, some gas, some discomfort. It's to be expected since the chemo wipes out so many things in the body including cells that typically regenerate quickly and often, like mucus, stomach lining, mouth lining, hair and skin cells. That's why people have stomach problems, lose their hair and get mouth sores. Sawyer's mouth isn't yet sore but the lining is whitish and not nice and pink. The doctor said it will most likely get worse before it gets better - so he can probably expect a few days where it will be painful to eat. If so, they will give him a local anesthetic or morphine to block the pain and give him nutrition through his IV.

We aren't getting any snow in Rochester - the sky is actually pretty clear and blue, but the temps are cool and crisp.

I pre-ordered the latest "Eragon" series book that comes out next week. All three of us enjoy the story (this is the fourth and final installment) and will be happy to listen to the 22 CDs in the audiobook to help pass the time.