Toby was admitted today because of a known, but particularly nasty side effect of his chemo. In addition to wiping out his bone marrow, the chemo's not all that smart. By this I mean that in addition to targeting neuroblastoma cells, the chemo affects normal cells, especially cells that have a quick turnover rate. The cells that line the intestinal tract, all the way from the mouth to the bottom are especially susceptible to chemo. The result is that Toby's mouth, esophagus, stomach, & bottom are raw, tender, & ridden with sores. This obviously makes things like talking & swallowing very painful let alone eating & drinking (imagine trying to chew something salty or crispy with open sores).
Toby's weight is down & he's dehydrated, so his docs decided it was time he start TPN (nutrition that he'll receive through his iv). The hope is that as Toby's marrow recovers & his sores resolve, he'll be able to resume eating on his own.
I'll keep you posted.
Yoram
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