"Livin’ on a Prayer: Day +1 and Counting"

Sitting here on day +1 waiting for dinner. This morning was a bit of a revolving door with nurses and therapists comin in and out, but the bright side was getting to see Steph today. With work schedules and kids schedules it's hard to get everyone up here, but I'm truly grateful for her making the trip all the way up here. I'm definitely missing the kids, but I get to see them all on Monday. 

My orders from my nurses are to shower once a day, walk at least 4 different times each day and eat. Which doesn't seem like a lot, but is harder than you think when you don't have much of an appetite. I'm not really nauseous yet, it's just really a lack of appetite. 

But the staff and care team have been amazing. I got my official t-shirt yesterday and they even gave me a birthday cake for my new birthday. 

As the days progress I'll have lower and lower blood cell counts until I bottom out probably around Tuesday, which is when you're in the trenches for this for about 4 days, so I'm just being happy that I'm not quite there yet. 

I've had plenty of time to read and play videogames, but I've definitely been leaning into the games a little bit more. The NES I brought has been quite the conversation starter for the older staff who immediately recognize it and the younger staff that either have no idea what it is or think it's a replica. I'm almost through The Adventures of Link if you're wondering what I'm playing. Metroid and Castlevania are up next. 

I've been making sure to walk plenty so I'm not sitting all day playing videogames or reading and even hit the stationary bike this evening for some extra movement. Everyone has said movement is the key to getting through this, even when you don't feel like it. 

Planning on spending the majority of the evening watching shows and thankfully football tomorrow afternoon. I'll try to keep up here on my daily progress, but can't guarantee as I start to feel worse how often I'll get to it. Thanks for checking in and reading. All the thoughts, prayers and well wishes are much appreciated.