Bullseye

It's been an exhausting week, but we finally have an answer to this whole rash business.

Good news, even.

What was once thought to be a sign of something bone marrow transplant-related turns out to be, essentially, just a rash.

Nothing more, nothing less. Probably caused by the virus in his system, far less likely by a drug reaction, and zero possibility of it being some sort of allergy or GVHD.

The official diagnosis is erythema multiforme. It's distinguished by target-like spots which have a red outer and white inner circle. They look like hundreds of bullseyes all over his body.

How do you treat it? You don't. It's supposed to go away in a couple weeks. In a normal kid.

Dom's no normal kid, so who knows how long it'll last. For now the virus and mild fever he's had on and off (also a common symptom) has him bouncing in and out of the Alberta Children's Hospital.

It feels like we've put everyone (including ourselves) through the roller coaster again, but it was really scary when it showed up last week. It sure is nice to pass along some good news for once.

Now to get him back home again. And eating. And have that broviac line removed. And to not worry about his cancer any more. To go swimming, playing in the dirt and running around with other kids.

Oh, if it were only that simple. First thing's first.