Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Day 27

We had an informative clinic visit today.

The white blood count is creeping up, and other counts are also improving. This means that the engraftment has begun, though it is moving slowly.

Terry is experiencing some hip bone pain and they credit that to the engrafting. The last couple days he has felt a little more nauseated and exhausted, also possibly due to the engrafting and all the work his body is doing to "fix" itself. We received instruction to stop one of his meds that they say is a culprit in making him feel nauseated. This med is stopped because it is one used to prevent GVHD (graft verses host disease) and there is no sign of it in this early stage. This doesn't mean he will never experience it, but it isn't happening now, and that's good. Don't worry that he isn't protected against GVHD, as he continues taking other meds to help prevent it.

Terry's liver is better, even good. His hydration has gone from 1.5 liters to 1 liter per day, from 6 to 4 hours, and hopefully that means he can get more rest at night due to fewer trips to the bathroom.

Doctors are still watching his counts and are "encouraged" by his recovery. "Things are going well!" (quotations directly from the doctor)

Terry has a bone marrow aspiration tomorrow. They look forward to the information they gain from that procedure, but we will not know the results until after our clinic visit on Tuesday.

PS - The internet in our apartment in not working, so I had to use the lobby computer. This is not very convenient or even always available, so there may not be a post from me again until ours is up. They are hoping for Thursday, but no promises. We hope you find this post informative and encouraging, as we do.

We send our love to all!

6 comments:

Shawna Scorup said...

Hallelujah! We know angels are watching over you.Love Shawna and David.

Adena and Greg said...

hurray for engraftment

Becky Noftle said...

Glad to be catching up on your lives, we didn't have internet on our Make a Wish trip. So glad he continues to heal.

Tyler said...

Tears of joy cascade from our eyes and prayers of Thankfulness tumble from our lips. The numbers are slowly creeping up and now that is a good thing. We remember when it didn't used to be. You are doing great and we are behind you. Let us know if there is anything you would enjoy from Idaho and we will send it in the mail. I need to get that address because I think I accidently threw it out. Thanks for the update, especially since you don't have the internet in your room. It means the world to all of us to know how things are going. Loves to you both and your whole family,
Always, Sherri

Louise said...

Hooray, this is the news we've been praying for this week! Hope the nausea starts to improve too.

Ellen said...

I ditto everything Sherri said. Tears of joy. I am so thankful to hear that counts are going up. I know that keeping you and your family on the temple prayer roll is helping, especially since I am there weekly and hear some very specific words which relate to this situation. It is another testament to me that He knows and loves us each individually. Thank you Elaine, for taking the time to use the internet that isn't so handy so that we can all share in the joy of yesterday's news. I continue to be in aw of all that is going on there. Love to you both, Ellen