Week Four - An Immune System

WBC were 0.5 for Day +22! Our doctor thinks we may even see some neutrophils (the WBC's that give you an immune system) tomorrow possibly. We had to put Bash back on morphine today as Tylenol just wasn't cutting it and he felt so much better. Still got pass outside and enjoyed another beautiful day. Bash found a couple of balls on the playground and hoarded them. He also experienced his first caterpillar! He kept trying to grab it from Nate and squish it. Loving the sunshine baby boy.

Day +23 and Bash has an absolute neutrophil count (ANC)! This means not only were his white blood cells present at 0.9, but his bone marrow is now producing the fighter white cells that give him an immune system! Our Doctor said we may even transition to home in the next week or two! Amazing news. Today we had pass outside, Bash is still getting morphine, and seemed to feel kinda crummy and not quite himself, a good indicator that engraftment is happening.

Bash wasn't feeling very good for Day +24. His throat was sore and inflamed and his body likely felt achy as it's being taken over by the donor cells. He had lots of cuddles with grandma Lynne and Grandpa Steve which seemed to help. His white blood cells continue to rise, (1.8 and ANC was 700!). Hopefully in the next day or two he will start feeling better. He still had interest in food even with a sore throat, and tried some broccoli today. After putting him to bed in the evening he pulled his NG tube out and it had to be reinserted. This sucked, it was Nate's night on and I got to miss the re-insertion which was nice for me. Your doing so awesome baby, we are beyond proud of you! 

Day +25 was a much better day. Bash's numbers doubled, WBC 3.2 and ANC 1500! No wonder he felt crappy yesterday - his new cells were working hard. It was rainy and cool so we stayed indoors, left his morphine as is and will try lowering it again tomorrow. Keep it up little man! We love you.

Not much to report for Day +26. Numbers dropped a bit but were staying steady. We reduced his morphine and also switched his NG feeds from continuous to 5 times a day to be more like a meal. Doctors say he 'officially' engrafted two days ago and we are on the watch now for any graft vs host disease (i.e. rash, vomiting, diarrhea). We played bingo today over a walkie talkie, Bash kept changing the channels and we missed a few numbers. Everyone wins though and Bash picked out a giant crayon filled with 80 blocks as a prize! Let the sun shine in!

Day +27 was uneventful. Bash is tolerating his feeds well and seems to have little pain. Plan is to stop morphine tomorrow and see how he feels. I managed to convince the doctors to only do blood pressures when he's awake so he can get better sleeps overnight, yay! Keep it up buddy! 

Another good day in the books for Day +28. Counts were low for red blood cells but his other numbers were stable. He had a blood transfusion for the low RBC's and then he was unhooked from all his IV's. We stopped the morphine and he's doing so great. We went on a pass where we walked around the university grounds and enjoyed the weather, then gave him his nightly bath without all his IV lines in the way! He's feeling good and his fun and goofy personality is showing. Love this kid.