Journal 2/27

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Eleven days post transplant. I woke up to some good news this morning. My
polyneutrophils (called polys or neutrophils) are raging back. Yesterday I
had 16 and today I'm at 460. Pretty incredible jump according to the doctors
and nurses. I am getting close to not being neutropenic. My mucositis pain
should begin to improve. I will be thrilled to get rid of the mouth pain.
Dr. Petersdorf said it is possible I could be leaving the hospital by the end
of the week. That is less than four weeks. Originally, Dr. Petersdorf
estimated I would be here for as long as six weeks. The platelets and
hematocrit are slower to come back than neutrophils. They usually lag behind
a week or so. It is so encouraging, however, to know everything is going
well. I know the present success of my transplant and minimal side effects
is a direct result of prayer and the incredible support from family and
friends. I give thanks to the Lord and to all of you who are riding along
side me.

Overview of my blood counts:

Hematocrit	Yesterday(22%)	Today(25% after transfusion)	Normal(34-55%)
Platelets	Yesterday(15,000)	Today(10,000)	Normal(150,000)
Neutrophils (Poly's)	Yesterday(16)	Today(460)	Normal(7,000)
WBC's	Yesterday(<200)	Today(600)	Normal(7,500)

The doctors will look for the following to happen before releasing me:

Polyneutrophils and WBC's back to a normal range.
Hematocrit and Platelets counts steadily increasing so I don't need
transfusions.
Mucositis pain decreasing enough to allow me to eat normal amount of
calories.

I will not be 100% when I get home. It will take several months to regain my
strength and energy level. It could take up to a year for my immune system
to function like it did before cancer.

The only treatment yesterday was a transfusion of two units of blood. I
didn't get too big of a jump from it. I only went from 22% to 25%. I don't
know if I'll be getting any blood or platelets today. Doctors will decide
later this morning.

Michelle and Kyler were with me most of the day yesterday. We went for a
nice walk down to the water and sat on a bench and watched boats. After we
got back, Michelle took Kyler over to the climbing walls. The little monkey
had to conquer the wall before going home. Later in the evening my friend
Kevin came by. We played with our computers and watched a movie. He spent
the night. Dr. Corley, my superintendent, came by last night. We had a good
visit. He's the one who rode up here with me on the day I entered the
hospital.

The biggest challenge I am going to face once I leave the hospital is to let
go of the cancer. I know I am cancer free. I have to let my mind believe it
and not allow myself to worry about the cancer returning. Dr. Wasse told me
this morning there is absolutely nothing I can do at this point. Worrying
won't keep the cancer away and it won't bring it back. I just have to know I
have done everything possible to kill the cancer and trust God's perfect plan
for my life will be carried out. It will be my daily prayer to be strong
mentally, physically, and spiritually.

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