I am producing a list today, for lack of anything else to offer.
Here we are on the last day of July. How did that happen?
It has been unseasonably cool here in the mornings, not that I am complaining. Walking has been much more pleasant.
In some ways I feel we have gotten a few things accomplished around here, in others, not so much.
The last few days have been occupied by concern for our Boy.
His ITP is rearing its ugly head.
After a month or so of having his platelet count kept afloat by steroids, his platelet count has sunk below the surface.
Just in time to joopher up his trip to Denmark.
He and The Dane are very frustrated with his doctor in Chicago. To put it mildly.
His doctor had told him about a new treatment she wanted to try called Promacta. She said it works in 90% of the patients. That’s encouraging!
But when she saw him toward the beginning of the July, and it was apparent the steroids were not doing their thing anymore, instead of starting the new therapy so she could monitor his reaction to the new meds, she increased the steroids again.
She knew he was leaving the country because when he left that appointment she said she wanted to see him again right before he left.
That was last Monday. They were leaving on Wednesday night.
His counts on Monday were 21,000 and she told him not to fly. They could not believe what they were hearing!
She wanted to start him on the new drug, two days before he was to leave the country, another reason she did not want him to leave.
Her timing has been truly….. inconceivable.
There was then considerable runaround trying to get the Promacta, which apparently was only in stock at one pharmacy of the 40 or so that The Dane called.
Even then the doctor had to call and have it approved because our insurance did not cover it. They do that sometimes when there is not a generic alternative.
He finally took his first pill on Tuesday.
The medicine was $6000 for 60 pills. He paid $12. Thank you Lord for insurance!
After much back and forth, they decided The Dane would leave for Denmark as planned last night. Without her husband.
If all goes well and his platelet count rises, The Boy will follow on Monday.
Minus the $500 to change his flight. There is a possibility this will be refunded if his doctor writes a note.
The Dane also has an uncle who works for the airline who has offered his services to try and help in that regard.
So far he has had no known side effects from the new meds, for which we are thankful. He said the information sheet that came with the prescription said the side effects were all pain. And blood clots. Yikes.
So The Dane is on her way and The Boy is home with his cat and his friend Critcher, who came from Ohio to babysit Sy and apartment hunt.
On the off chance that the meds do not induce platelet growth, he said he and Sy are just coming home for the duration of his non trip.
To say they are sad and discouraged is an understatement of epic proportions.
In addition to screwing up their vacation, it is also jeopardizing a wedding reception The Dane’s parents have planned for their friends and family who were unable to attend their Chicago wedding last December.
Also there is uncertainty as to when they will be able to visit with her people again, because once she applies for her green card she cannot leave the country until it is approved. We know of one that took almost a year.
Angst abounds.
But they have seen much evidence of the Lord intervening on their behalf, that always helps.
If you think of him, prayers would be appreciated.
How about a happier subject?
I don’t know about you, but this makes me happy.
I am sincerely hoping there will be coleus in heaven.
Just as I am sincerely hoping there will not be Japanese beetles.
They are making a big old mess on the sweet potato vines.
I think we have driven them away. There were no unwanteds this morning and only 2 yesterday.
Enjoy your Thursday. Thank you for your prayers, they availeth much.
No Whining Allowed 
