Day +19: Exceeding Expectations

Jason made the doctors smile today.

White blood cells increased to 1.6 (normal is approximately 4.5-10). Platelets increased to 110,000 (Needless to say, Jason no longer has a bloody nose)! And Neutrophils are at 270 (Normal is 2,500 – 7,000). This is all fantastic news! These numbers signal that Jason is making cells and not destroying them right now. His hemoglobin count did reduce by about half of a unit but this is not abnormal. The doctors are impressed by these good signs.

Some things that are being watched more closely would be the fevers that have been returning on and off this past week. His last fever was this morning so that is still a concern that needs to be addressed. Fevers signal infection and Jason has been having some trouble with a pneumonia infection in his lungs but today Jason was able to breathe deeper. Another complication would be the continued headache that Jason is suffering. He is currently on a pain pump that allows him to press a button to get more of a narcotic called Dilaudid but doctors want to know how they will be able to help him when he returns home.

This was the first time doctors started discussing a discharge date. There are a lot of goals to be met and a lot of problems that need discussion but it has been our experience that when they start discussing a discharge date we have about a week and a half until we get to go home. If that is true, we could be home after only 4 ½ weeks in the hospital. Then the real work would begin: avoiding infection, keeping the house clean, praying that the transplant continues to succeed, and eating “right.” I will be doing all of this along with Jason so expect to me hear me whining about not being able to eat Bleu Cheese.

Today we are so thankful that Jason’s body is doing well. Every day we have to hope that he feels well and that the transplant is successful. Worrying about its failure is stressful so we try to stay positive and take the days as they come.

One last unique bit of news would be about how Jason’s sister, Jessica, has been involved in the transplant process. As you know, both Jason’s brother and his sister were perfect matches. Jason’s brother was chosen because both he and Jason have a negative blood type. This doesn’t necessarily mean much for this transplant but it may make a tiny little bit of difference, and so they chose Aaron.

However, Jessica is still a perfect match. In order to help Jason she donated platelets at the Red Cross directly for Jason. Yes, you can do that, and the world really needs blood and platelet donors. If I remember correctly (I will check my statistic tomorrow at the Red Cross information station) only 8% of the population that is able to donate their blood and/or platelets actually does donate. If you are willing and able, please consider donating. Without blood donors and miracles Jason would not be alive today. It is thanks to the 8%, and the power of God that I still have my husband. Consider following Jessica and help sustain lives by periodically donating blood and blood products. Anyone who gets a transplant, chemotherapy, has suffered a serious injury, or is suffering from lower blood counts as a result of old age will need blood. You can help.

Jason's sister Jessica donated platelets! What can you do for others? 

In the future I will discuss how you could possibly be a bone marrow donor for people all across the world.