End of Week 6 score: Team Mike 14, Team Prarie Dogs 12 and Team Chemo/Radiation 21

We've decided to think of this journey as a three-sided game.

During the sixth and final week of radiation treatment there are signs that team prarie dogs have been pounded, pummeled and sent packing by team chemo/radiation with the help of Mike's positive attitude. Mike's speech is better and he's able to sip some water and take a pain medicaton orally. Unfortunately, team chemo/radiation also did a number on Mike. After the initial admission to the oncology floor on Tuesday for neutropenia, he was holding his own until his temperature spiked at 103.8 and his HR increased to 170+. Mike's team of "stat" nurses hauled him to the Intermediate Care Unit on a different floor so that he could be monitored more closely. One day later, with the HR under control, numerous shots to increase the WBC count and two units of blood to treat anemia, he was allowed back in the game and readmitted to the oncology floor. There is a good chance that he will be sent home today. It all depends on how well he does after receiving two more units of blood. The third and final chemo has been delayed at least one week.

We couldn't have gotten this far with out all of the fans rooting for Team Mike, so thank you for all the positive vibes, prayers and well wishes. We need everyone to keep the rally going. Make some noise.

One last thought on how to make some noise...

I happened to notice that the label on each of the units of blood that Mike received indicated that the blood was donated by a volunteer. That meant four units given by four different people making a difference in someone else's life. So I can't think of a more tangible way to help Mike and to help other cancer patients than to donate blood and/or platelets every chance you get. Visit your American Red Cross this week and donate blood: The gift of life.

Terry

PS: I'm looking for Mike to rally this weekend and write his own post.