Transplant + 17

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!  Today we had the first measurable sign of engraftment happening!  My nurse comes in and soon I am asking if she knows my numbers.  She went and got them and my platelets are the same (transfusion required), the hemoglobin numbers got a kick from yesterdays transfusions and I don't need blood today.  Then she says my whites are at .5 and I ask if she is sure, so she double checks and says yes.  They have been reading <.5 (an effective 0).  So I am thrilled and send an email to my children, but I said that until I have confirmation that this means what I believe it does, I will remain quiet about it.  Both the unit head and the hematologist were thrilled to see this sign too.  They expect my neutrophils are at .1 now and that is a critical number for infection fighting.  They will increase to their more normal percentage of white blood cells of around 80%.  There is the possibility of the number falling tomorrow to the old <.5 but we know the body is producing and using them.

Fatigue has certainly found a home with me.  Spent nearly 12 hours in bed last night and still needed two naps today, even with all the excitement.  The bilirubin count up more today and they are watching my body and the numbers to see what is going on there.  No further tests yet.  Lack of appetite rules the day too, but I have not been fed by IV, so that is very good.

Barb took this picture today to celebrate the good news.  It's still me :)

Prayer Request.

1.  Give thanks for beginning of engraftment.
2.  Thanks for strength again today.
3.  Pray for continued advances in blood counts.
4.  For liver health.

PH 129   from Psalm 69
 Thy loving kindness, Lord, is good and free,
In tender mercy turn Thou unto me;
Hide not Thy face from me in my distress,
in mercy hear my prayer, Thy servant bless.

Needy and sorrowful, to Thee I cry, 
Let Thy salvation set my soul on high;
Then I will sing and praise Thy holy Name,
My thankful song Thy mercy shall proclaim.

With joy the meek shall see my soul restored;
Your heart shall live, ye saints that seek the Lord;
He helps the needy and regards their cries,
Those in distress the Lord will not despise.

Let heaven and earth His grace and glory tell,
Let earth and sea and all that in them dwell;
Salvation to His people God will give.
And they that love His Name with Him shall live.