Tuesday +154 (Back in Rochester)

Well, we are back in Rochester! After returning home to OK on Saturday, Jackie began running a fever within 4 hours of returning home. It was a low-grade fever through Saturday night into Sunday. On Sunday night it worsened and at 3:00 AM it rose to 101.9. At that point the decision was made to return to Rochester. We were on the road by 4:00 AM and arrived in MN by 2:30 PM.

Upon arrival Jackie's temperature was entirely normal. The head of the BMT unit was in the office and decided to check her out anyway. In listening to her lungs he thought he heard a slight crackle. He ordered a CT scan for her. The earliest available slot was on Wednesday at 1:30 PM We are up at 5:00 again in hopes we can get in for a very early slot today. Since our visit yesterday with the doctor, Jackie has began to cough. There is a slight tinge to her sputum. So, it won't be surprising if they find something in her system. This morning as I write her temperature was 102.4. So our decision to come here seems to be the correct one.

Somewhat surprising were her counts. Her RBC (Hgl) count had fallen to 9.4. The docs said this could have been in reaction to her fever. Her WBC count had risen to a normal range of 4.3 with ANC of 1.65. Of course this could have also been partially in response to an infection/fever. It shows that her new immune system is mounting a good, healthy response to whatever is taking place. Her platelets had also risen to normal levels at 163. One might have expected these to be reduced due to fever/infection.

As we are back in Rochester, I will post at least once per day and more if needed.

Until later...


Bruce and Jackie
From Rochester