We are on Day 10 and looking for relief from the relentless pain that Dave is experiencing with mucositis and headaches. Mucositis is a side effect of a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. In the days leading up to his transplant, he received a different type of chemo than he did with the first transplant. It looks like that chemo is the culprit that is making this transplant a beast.

It seems that Dave was the “beast” in a dream that he had a few nights ago. He has repeated this story to me several times so I thought it apropos to share it. Dave was hitting against Jack Morris in the beloved Tiger Stadium. You may think this is odd because he was playing against the Tigers. The reality is, right now opponents probably have a better chance of winning that way as the Tigers consistently struggle. Dave stepped into the batters box and waited for his pitch to hit. Morris threw a fast ball, up, and Dave hit a missile into the upper deck in right field. He said the Tiger fans were going nuts as he rounded the bases – cheering him all of the way to home.

Still early to call his transplant a home run, Dave is still in beast-mode despite the challenges and the pain. Even though he has had very little to eat in the last five days, giving him supplemental feedings is out of the question. His primary nurse said that he is “buff” and can handle this lack of nutrition for now. And, you’re probably wondering if he is still able to walk around the 10th floor. Amazingly, he tallied eight laps on Thursday, equaling a half-mile. Granted, it was slow and done in increments, but he is still driven and determined.

We did see a small but notable change in Dave’s white blood count. This is considered a precursor for healing and engraftment. It will also assist in repairing his mucositis, allowing him to swallow, to eat and to alleviate the pain. Before you know it, we will be calling this a walk-off home run. And, it won’t be a dream.

Enjoy Labor Day weekend. As you continue to pray for us and Dave’s recovery, we will be praying for your safety and that you have fun with family and friends.