This process is so hard. The meds and chemo make him feel a little crummy and not want to eat. However, his caloric intake and nutrient balance is tracked extremely closely. At the first sign of him starting to fall behind on those indicators, we went ahead and ok'd the placement of the tube. This happens bedside and takes all of a minute. All of his meds and liquid nutrition ( including electrolytes like potassium and magnesium) are given to him through the tube and goes directly into his stomach. This helps him not have to swallow dozens and dozens of pills down his throat every day and to not have to feel pressured to eat, even though he isn't feeling well. Despite the obvious benefits, he will tell anyone that enters the room ( who will listen to him) how much he hates having a tube in his throat. He will ask " can you imagine drinking and eating simultaneously?" " Yea it sucks!!!" ( Just to be clear he can eat solid food even though he has the tube.) I come about an inch of just calling the nurse and asking her " can we try and take it out and see if he eats.." due to his persistence. Bottom line is, #1 when he's distracted by doing something, he doesn't complain about it. #2 He's getting every single piece of medication that the team wants him to get, before the tube it was a struggle. #3 I'd rather him be healthy enough to complain about it than not 

***I used some text from bethematch.com' s website to help explain the engraftment process *****

Engraftment is when the blood-forming cells Trevor received from his dad on transplant day start to grow and make healthy blood cells.

The cells he received on transplant day know where they belong in his body. They move through his bloodstream into his bone marrow. When these cells begin to grow and make new blood cells, it’s called engraftment.

Engraftment usually happens within the first 30 days after transplant but sometimes can take longer. Engraftment means the new cells are working properly and starting to rebuild his immune system. Engraftment marks the start of the recovery process. White blood cells are the first cells to engraft, followed by red blood cells and platelets.

He will be at the highest risk of infection until his new cells engraft. This is because he will have fewer white blood cells than normal. White blood cells are the part of the immune system that help prevent or fight infections. The transplant team will help protect him from infections and treat any infections that develop