Friday +9 (10:00AM) Engraftment!

Well, I think even at this point the docs are ready to declare "engraftment". Jackie's WBC count bumped up to .8 this morning! This, from a .4 yesterday. Her RBC count is 10.4 (up from 7.9 yesterday). Her platelets are at 24 from 17 yesterday. The platelet and RBC count isn't significant because she received infusions of both yesterday. I suspect they will wait a day without any new infusions to she where the counts stand. Typically it is the WBC count that first comes back followed by RBC and platelets. The platelets can take months or more to return to normal levels.

To me the best indicator that something is taking place is her appetite. This morning she ate 2 boxes of Cheerios with milk and 1/2 of a blueberry muffin. Everyone her has stated that when the appetite returns it is always a good sign engraftment is taking place. Jackie is VERY early in the process for this to happen. The man who just finished using this computer has a wife who underwent a transplant for CML. His wife is +20 and no engraftment. She is also unable to eat. She may be one of the few that never engraft. This happens in up to 10-15% of the cases.

Jackie is still fighting the fluid issues. I believe she is better , however. She seems less "puffy" to me.

They are talking about moving her back to outpatient status tomorrow. I think they will definitely do this if some of her fluids come off today and tomorrow.

Until Later,

Bruce and Jackie
From Rochester, MN

PS> Jackie just scared the dickens out of me! She walked up behind me as I posted this message to the blog from the family room down the hall. She is up walking the hallways!