Monday +40 (7:45 PM) TGI Friday

No, it is not Friday. TGI Fridays is where we ate a late lunch.

Jackie didn't feel well much of the day. For whatever reason her back and stomach have given her problems for more than a week. It is difficult to know if the problem is muscular or something else. We were able to drive around for a short period of time after lunch but had to return to the apartment because she didn't feel well. As I write this, she is once again feeling OK.

Jackie's blood counts continue almost unchanged. Her RBC (Hgl) count was 9.8 down from yesterday's 10.1. Her WBC count continues to improve. Today she had a WBC count of 3.7, up from 3.4 yesterday. Her platelet count was nearly unchanged at 91 from yesterday's 92.

Remember Lisa? That was the woman that didn't engraft on the first transplant and required a second transplant. I ran into her husband as we left the hospital this morning. He said she is doing well with counts that continue to rise. Her RBC count is still low, but the others are doing well. He says they are even talking about sending her home for a short stay. That is amazing considering her condition 20 days ago!

They have once again reduced Jackie's Cyclosporine intake. This is the primary immunosuppressant that prevents GvHD. She has gone from a daily intake of about 900 mg per day to her current 250 mg per day. It is likely these decreases will cause an increase in any GvHD that might take place. As I mentioned yesterday she has a minor rash that is likely a form of GvHD. A little disease is a good thing. The idea is to keep it tightly controlled.

By tomorrow we should have the results of the CMV PCR test. With luck, it will be negative which will mean (again with luck) that we will only have one more week of twice daily IV anti-viral treatments.

Well, it is time for out nightly trek to the hospital.

Until later,

Bruce and Jackie
From Rochester, MN