Saturday +24 (11:00 AM) Graduation Soon

We just returned from the morning IV antibiotic treatment. That will be out last IV treatment! Unless she develops a fever (which is still quite possible) or there is some other problem she will revert to her oral antibiotics.

Today she is far less shaky. Her back pain is better - although still there. Her energy level is low, but better. She is still having trouble with nausea and some vomiting. Even after taking some anti-nausea meds this morning she had a short bout of nausea with minor vomiting. I think her appetite is improving. This morning she was able to eat Raisin Bran cereal with milk and said, "It wasn't too bad."

As part of the improved status we have been given a day of freedom. We don't have to return to the hospital until Monday morning at 8:00 AM. This morning they mentioned we are about to be paroled back to a clinic routine. What does this mean? It means we will not make our daily trips to the hospital, but rather regular visits to see the doctor in the clinic. At first it will be probably be a doctor's visit every day or two. It will then stretch out to once every 3 or 4 days and then maybe once per week. They want us to remain close in case of any unexpected difficulties. I don't think they will allow a return home until at least 100 days and she has her central line removed. We now have a good idea how convicts feel when they are about to be paroled to a halfway house!

Jackie's counts still continue to fluctuate. Her RBC count is 9.4 today (down fro 10.5 yesterday). Based upon her energy level I would have expected this to be higher. Her WBC count has improved to 4.2. This is really good news since it shows that yesterday's number of 4.0 is not an anomaly! Her platelet count is still trending lower. Today it was 62. I'm not sure why it is lower, but it should recover over time.

As the WBC count rises we will begin to see more GvHD problems. So far there is nothing other than has been reported but it is likely something will happen on this front. It will likely start as a rash on the palms or soles of the feet. With luck, this will not become a major problem and management will be easily handled through the regulation of the anti-rejection drugs.

Today is a great Spring day. The sun is shining and the temperature is expected to be as high as 65 degrees. The tulips are still in full bloom. If Jackie feels up to it I think we will go for a car ride around the area.

So, with the change in the Jackie's status I will only be updating the blog once a day. Of course, if something changes I will update as needed. The change will allow me to pursue my next big news story, "If we have global warming why is it so cold in Minnesota?" :) If I can find Kennedy I think I'll ask him:)

Until later,

Bruce and Jackie
From Rochester, MN