Finally...

      They have been trying to get Chris scheduled for a bone marrow biopsy since mid week last week.  Yesterday we thought it was a for sure thing as it was listed with a scheduled time in his online UofU medical account.   They called and told us they would be up in 20 minutes, only to then have to turn around and tell us that there was a problem with the orders and there wasn't anyone that could do it.  After things fell apart yesterday, today they told us it would happen between 10 and 11.  The bone marrow biopsy finally happened in the mid-afternoon. 

     When Dr Sobrov who has been off for the past few days came in he asked is how it the biopsy had gone and was also frustrated that it hadn't happened.  He's planning his treatment off the results, so the delay means more agonizing wait time to know what the next step will be.  The doctor filling in for Dr Sobrov didn't seem to care about our frustrations with it being delayed again, so it was a huge relief for both of us to see Dr Sobrov in the doorway. 

      What was supposed to be a 20 minute procedure took 2 hours.   Chris's bones are so tough that it was difficult for them to drill through, the tech doing the drilling said it was the strongest shin he's ever drilled into.  Chris said they broke two drill bits trying to get through the bone.   Trying to avoid any more anesthesia this year if possible, he did the procedure awake with only local numbing and some IV pain meds.  They wanted to get 10 cc's of bone marrow but even with trying to scrape around (ouch!), they were only able to get 4 cc's.   Hopefully that will be enough to get the results that they need, doing another one anytime in the near future is not in his wish list.   He said it was the most painful thing he has ever done in his life.

       Even despite the amount of pain he is in, he still is so kind and patient with the nurses.   When I got back from working a partial day at work, he made sure to put a smile on his face.   When the nurses and aids were helping him get into bed from the couch.  He would sincerely tell them "thank-you".  The look on his face when they perfectly positioned his pillow was priceless! 

       Because of shift change, it took a while for them to get in contact with the doctors to be able to order pain meds, but they finally brought them in and he's all tucked in and peacefully sleeping.   Today as I drove to and from work I had some time to think, I realized how much has changed so drastically in our life in the past week and a half.   A week ago on Monday we were terrified about starting dialysis, and here we are at a new hospital and already started chemo.   The chemo has made his entire body ache and today's procedure added to that pain.  May my gentle courageous lion be comforted when he does his best tomorrow, even if the best he can do is get out of bed.