What a day we had here at the hospital! My blood count is WBC 2.8, hemoglobin 91, and platelets 13. The total whites are really going up with the shots, but they expect the neutrophils still to be quite low. They will begin counting them tomorrow. The hematologist comes in and because of good ultra sound, slightly improved numbers for liver and kidney, removal of some drugs, increase in WBC, other side effects under good control, she is tentatively discharging me on Friday!
None of the numbers are where I expected them to be for being discharged. She expects neutrophils to be very low yet, and they are the main infection fighters, she guessed .2. I had assumed a 1 at least to go home.
I would be coming in every Tuesday for quite some time for blood work, and resulting adjustments to meds, possible transfusions. If my platelets don't move significantly in the next two days I will have to come in twice a week. They will also then be checking for Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD). As engraftment is occurring the new stem cells may attack me as host because I am not home to them. The anti rejection drugs are to try to control this. Leaving the hospital is only Phase 1 of 4 Phases. More on that some other post. But it is exciting news, I am so ready to be home again!! Praise God for this good progression.
With all this news I was able to mask up and go outside with Barb. It is markedly colder since the last time I was out on Sept. 10. Barb had brought a toque so we went out and then went to the car to have a little drive to see the colours. But no sun, so the colours not near as brilliant and a lot of leaves down. Big world out there! It felt like a jail break. We didn't tell them. Shhh!
Prayer Requests
1. Thanks for a tentative discharge date.
2. For continued progress on engraftment.
3. For physical and mental preparation to leave hospital and go home.
Revelation 4:8b,11 ESV
"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!"
"Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honour and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created."
7 comments:
What a blessing it is to see engratment taking place. Here are some good Bible verses to think
about.
Psalm 91:1-2
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.
Wow, Richard and Barb and family, wonderful news!
Because I know you love to sing.....here goes
"When in the night I meditate
on mercies multiplied,
my grateful heart inspires my tongue to bless the Lord, my Guide"
Psalter 22, based on Psalm 16
We rejoice with you!
Hope you enjoy a good night's rest...
Bill and Kathy V
Wonderful news Richard (and Barb)! We rejoice with you. I can just see the two of you in the car as escapees, ha. Glad for the good times. Blessings to you as you prepare for home,
Clarence and Gonda
That's great news and we're so happy for you! I'm sure it was a great relief to stick your head outside - i know what i feel like after being "cooped up" for a 12 hour shift...never mind a month or more...
God is good, all the time!
What an exciting read this was! Numbers climbing up and the possibility of going home! God is good!
We are so happy to hear this amazing news and pray that this upward trend continues.
Enjoy your last day(s) of incarceration!
The vanB's
That is so exciting! Praise God! We will pray that things will continue to improve and that your body will continue to be strong throughout the process. No question that your faith is strong!
A real blessing to read these daily blogs. Love you both, Richard and Barb. We will continue to hold you and your family in our prayers.
Ivan & Diana
Hello Richard
We have been following your blogs, and are amazed at your journey. We thank God for your progress and for His care for you and your family.
Eli and Annie
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