Came to a curve in the road of our journey today...we went to Emory for the usual labs today and found that Joe's platelets had not changed any and remain low.

We also discovered Joe has a blood clot in his left femur. His ankle has been swollen off and on but this week it had gotten worse and this morning his big toe was blue. We brought it to Dr Voloschin's attention today and he ordered an ultrasound which verified that there is a blood clot. Dr Voloschin then sent us to the infusion lab for Joe's first injection of the blood thinner, Lovenox. Guess who got to inject him in his abdomen???!!! I received my training of 2 minutes and BAM as Emirle would say it was a done deal! So everyday for at least the next 6 months Joe will be receiving Lovenox,by subcutaneous injection by me twice a day in the abdomen.

Next Dr Voloschin deferred us to Joe's local eye doctor to treat his right eye. Dr Newman diagnosis the red watering eye as having herpes virus the same virus that caused the cold sores inside and outside his mouth that Dr Voloschin had been treating.

So what was suppose to be a simple couple of hours today having his labs done ended being a full day and 3 new drugs to add to the list.

We also experienced our first use of a wheelchair. Now that may not sound like much but it's a big thing with Joe. It's like some kind of surrender to him. However, we turned it around with a few good laughs of me steering him into things such as the elevator wall. Or better yet when he has his foot sticking out when I'm trying to turn a corner! :) You have to reach down deep for those laughs but it's what gets you through the day.

We have to be back at Emory on Monday for follow up labs and to see Dr Voloschin and then again next Thursday as well as Dr Newman in Conyers on Thursday afternoon.