Hives, Hives, and More Hives

Well our routine visit turned out to be an experience today. We went in and somehow Dave's platelets had dropped lower than yesterday even after his tranfusion. Platelets are resposible for clotting blood. Anyway, they were cautious and gave him some Benedryl and slowly started the transfusion. He slowly started popping out hives and they stopped gave him hydrocortizone, waited and then started again. Then the hives then went crazy. He had them on his head, stomach, back, arms, and a huge one on one of his eyes. He looked like a prizefighter. They gave him more hydrocortizone and decided it wasn't safe to proceed. We were finally sent home in the afternoon and said to come back tomorrow. The blood bank is going to try to search more closely for antibodies that he may be reacting to inside the platelets. He will recieve two bags of red blood cells tomorrow and a bag of platelets, hopefully all goes well. If not they said he would need to be admittted inpatient. And we don't want that. He has been smiling through it all. And no sickness yet. We feel so happy that he has been able to eat. It is amazing to see the man you love face something like this with courage and optimism. My love and respect for him grows every day. What a man. My mom brought a delicious crockpot dinner and the kids to visit tonight. My mom looked a little overwhelmed with loading and unloading all the kids and dinner to bring. She didn't want to commit to coming again tomorrow, "maybe Wednesday" she said. It's sure a lot of work bringing the kids somewhere when you aren't used to it.