Day 15 (March 29)
White Blood Cell Count: 2.4
Absolute Neutrofil Count: 1.9
Not that we’re paying attention. But if we were, the second number is the one we are now concerned about. It will give a more accurate indication of whether or not the transplant took. So while going from .9 to 2.4 is amazing, the significance of the numbers have now changed. And we now need two more days for the ANC to be over .5 before it can be officially declared engraftment. The doctors are very happy about this progress.
Ranan was on Haley duty all day today, and everything seemed to be going fine, until the neurologist came in. The cat scan didn’t reveal anything about the tremors (which is good news because he was able to rule out seizures) , but he did say there was a small amount of bleeding in the brain. At that point, they didn’t know whether it was an old bleed or a new one. The doctors didn’t seemed too concerned that it was interfering with brain function, but they needed to still figure out the when and why of it. So they decided to monitor her brain activity and hook her up to an eeg. For those who don’t know how one would monitor the brain, they put about twenty probes all over her head (some with tape, others with glue), and wrap it up. The wires then feed into a heavy battery pack that in turn submits the signals to a a computer that constantly displays the readout. They also attached a security camera orb to the monitor so that they can record her tremors. We were to press a button whenever we saw a tremor.
It took over two hours for two nurses to attach all the probes. And at the end of it all, she lets out a big smile. I wish I had her strength.
The other issue is her platelets. Only a day after transfusion, it didn’t seem to move very much, and now the concern is that she’s finally starting to reject the platelets. We will see after the next transfusion. If that’s the case, I think either Ranan or myself will be donating platelets for her.
Guest today was Grammy.
I realized that the previous entry had no funny thought. And I can’t actually think of anything funny for this day. So thanks to everyone who sent in jokes, either through the blog or on regular email.
I wish Haley a speedy recovery. It is amazing to see the fight and strength of children. It’s also great how you can always try to include a laugh in the blogs. That shows the amazing strength of adults too. We never know how strong we are until we are put in the toughest situations.
A 24 year old co-worker with breast cancer, and an amazing sense of humor, has also written a touching and sad, yet hysterically funny blog. http://www.racheladele.blogspot.com/. It is an inspiration to see such stories
My best wishes to Haley and a beautiful family.
- Sara
March 31st, 2007 | #
Dear all
we follows all the time after Haley and wish that soon she will be healthy at home.
we wish you happy Passover and joyful Seder.
regards from the all family in Jerusalem
Atzmona,Pepe, Yonathan, Tal, Yishai Hadass
March 31st, 2007 | #
All of these numbers sound so promising. I have a really good feeling that the next 2 days will bring confirmation of engraftment. Haley is such a super star. As are her parents!
I’m glad to know that she isn’t having seizures. I’ll follow the doctors lead in their approach to her small brain bleed. I’m glad that they aren’t overly concerned and and I’m glad that she isn’t showing effects of it. It’s so encouraging that she’s smiling, responsive and enjoying dance therapy. I just think she needs time to recover and heal.
As always, we are praying for y’all and thinking about how happy we will be to have y’all back home. I can hardly wait to hold that sweet baby! Dana P.S. Through the grapevine, I was able to see a recent photo of Haley. Even with the electroid-hiding cap on her head, she looked GREAT!!! I was so happy to see that. What a trooper to look so fab after all she’s been through.
March 31st, 2007 | #