Day + 10 Joy to the World!!!

MOM posing in from of my white board in my new room.


WBC 0.6, HGB 95, PLTS. 15, ANC 55.8

Quote of the Day:
"IT'S EASY TO GET LOST IN ENDLESS SPECULATION.........SO TODAY, RELEASE THE NEED TO KNOW WHY THINGS HAPPEN AS THEY DO.
INSTEAD, ASK FOR THE INSIGHT TO RECOGNIZE WHAT YOU ARE MEANT TO LEARN."
- Caroline Myss & Peter Occhlogrosso

Great news today.......... as it appears that my engraftment process has started! My ANC jumped from 4 to 55.8 overnight. Hopefully, we will see even larger numbers tomorrow.....as once they get going, they usually start to multiply by leaps and bounds!!!! Both my doctor's & my nurses seemed very pleased with my numbers......

I managed to eat some oatmeal for breakfast......a mini tub of ice cream......a small decaf. coffee......a few spoonfulls of some chicken stew for lunch....& now I am eating some Macaroni & cheeze!!! So my appetite is good today!

Sue stayed with me last night.....we watched the movie "Black Beauty".....we both enjoy movies involving animals. Today, Sue stayed until just before 2pm. when my blood counts came in. We were slow getting the results because my early morning collection clotted & had to be redone.

Andrea R. is taking her turn at a shift tonight......should be lots of laughs!!! Sue is back here on Saturday night.

So far, I have done very well in the infection department. After my first fever, they started me on a general antibiotic that seems to have done the trick. Most people, have more than 1 spike in fever & more than one infection.....so they tell me I am unusual to have had only one to date. In the early days, post transplant, 80% of infections come from bacteria & virus's already present in my own body.......once the infection fighters are gone....we tend to see the fever & the infection(s).

After my engraftment takes place, & my ANC reaches above 500, my biggest risk of infection will be from those germs I might get from others. The biggest preventer of infection is good hand washing practises......by myself......by those who are to come in contact with my environment. Food preparation techniques are also very important. Thoroughly washing hands before, during and after food prep............properly washing food......properly cooking food & properly storing food........all in prevention of bacteria reaching my mouth! The hospital recommends that I don't eat any raw vegetables........raw fruit except those with a thick rind such as banana's & oranges......... No fast food & it is best to avoid eating in restaurants at all.......FOR 100 DAYS POST TRANSPLANT!


So today was a positive day & one to celebrate!