Transplant + 50

My apologies to those who may have been checking my blog concerning yesterdays appointment and find nothing.  I had a very busy day and I ran out of energy for blogging.

Congratulations to Jeremy and Sarah with the birth of their son Timothy Evan Mulder yesterday morning.  A brother for Robert, Matthew and Lucas.  Sarah and Timothy are doing very well, and Dad has a big grin on his face that is going to stay for a while I believe.  He is a beautiful little babe, and Barb and I are thrilled with our 8th grandchild. Psalm 127:3a  " Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,"   May the Lord bless them as they desire to raise their family in the fear of the Lord.

 I spent the morning with my oldest grandson Robert, being off from Kindergarten, and we played 28 games of UNO.  What a blast!

We found out about the birth of Timothy while we were sitting in the doctor's examination room in the Cancer Clinic.  Once it was determined that I would need red blood cells by transfusion, Barb left to see the new babe and his parents.  Barb returned at the end of the day to pick me up.  By the time I had visited with them and returned home, I was done for and went to bed.

My appointment went very good.  After the drop last week in WBC and neutrophils, we were really pleased with a good jump this week.  My WBC went from 1.8 to 2.7!!  Neutrophils went from 1.1 to 2.1.  The last week has led to a lot of thinking about what exactly is happening, so we are thankful for very positive numbers this week.  Platelets went up from 31 to 37.  I will keep my central line until the platelets are over 50. Normal is 150-400.  Hemoglobin dropped from 93 to 86.  This was not unexpected, as the red cells live longest and are the last to recover from a stem cell transplant.  Because of the study I am in I received two units of red blood cells in the afternoon.  The largest concern expressed by my doctor was the rise in creatinine again, and more water intake is required to flush my kidneys.

Still no signs of GVHD which is great.  I asked about slow engraftment equalling slow GVHD and he deemed it a reasonable possibility.  We remain on the lookout.  Day 50 today, halfway to coming off of cyclosporin.

Prayer requests
1.  Thanks for a healthy grandson and daughter!
2.  Thanks for improving numbers.
3.  Thanks for reaching Day 50 and doing well.
4.  Thanks for no GVHD
5.  Pray for continued rest in the Lord for all things.

Psalm 128:5,6 ESV  "The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!  May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel!