DOT +73

Patrick’s visit to see Dr. Chao Monday could not have been any better!  His counts continue to rise on their own with his white count 2.8, hemoglobin 8.9 and platelets a whopping 84!  With these counts, he will be able to return for labs in 2 weeks and return to see Dr. Chao in one month. The counts were not the only exciting part of the visit, he also had his port removed! 

Life is starting to feel more back to normal everyday. As Patrick is starting to regain more and more strength (and hair!).  He also has permission to venture out to public places as long as he goes during off hours to avoid crowds which hover germs and can lead to problems. 

Even though things are going so smoothly, Patrick still needs to be very aware of his surroundings and continue to obsess over hand washing. It will be around nine months or so before his white cells are completely back to normal.  The body has multiple types of cells with some types recovering slower than others. 

I will post again after we learn the results of the latest “whose is whose” test which should be early next week!

xoxo caroline

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

- Psalm 118:1

DOT +65

Hello friends!

Patrick's labs on Thursday were high enough to let him come home and he was even able to drive himself!!  White count 2.4, hemoglobin 8.2, and platelets win the prize at 64!! Home sweet home has never felt better. 

I cannot express how it feels to be at this place of the journey. Being home is going to boost Patrick's spirits which should help improve his counts!

We return to the clinic on Monday and if numbers look good, they will remove his port. God is good and God bless Patrick!

xoxo caroline

May the God of your hope so fill you with all the joy and peace in believing that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing with hope.

- Romans 15:13

DOT +61

I was so excited to report the news that we may be coming home on yesterday’s post, I forgot to include Patrick’s counts! 

White count was 2.1 which was a slight increase from Saturday’s count (1.8)…..Hemoglobin is holding its  own at 8.1 and platelets were the winner at 46!  Hemoglobin barely made it as they transfuse at 8.0! 

Discharge class was fun today.  It was interesting to hear all the ins and outs about heading home….we just hope to experience it in a few days but are keeping a very open mind and counting our blessings that we have made it to this point.

Tomorrow is a day off from clinic so next post will be after clinic on Thursday!  Thank you for sharing this journey with us.  

xoxo caroline

"The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him."

-Exodus 15:2

DOT +60

Dear Friends,

Words cannot express how much we appreciate your support over the past couple of months. The gifts, food, visits, cards, prayers, calls, emails, and texts have meant so much to us!! This journey has been a challenge and having your support has kept us above water. Thank you so much!

We received news today that we could be headed home as soon as Thursday! Patrick's counts are rising steadily and since he has no other issues, they feel comfortable with us going home and coming to the clinic on a weekly basis. We are not packing the car yet as things can change at the blink of an eye!

We will attend a discharge (aka: "get out of jail") class tomorrow. Then wait until Thursday to go back to the clinic. If all labs are good Thursday, all systems are go!!

Patrick will continue to recuperate at my house with Dan and I rotating staying with him. We anticipate several weeks before he has fully recuperated.

Thank you again for your love and support! God is so good!

xoxo caroline

So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

- Luke 11:9-10

DOT +57

Happy Saturday,

A HUGE thank you to Pat for spending the night with Patrick last night so I could attend a dinner with John in Chapel Hill.  Dan is in Virginia for the weekend with Mary.    

Patrick’s white count rose from 1.3 yesterday to 1.8 today without any help from Neupogen shots.  His last shot was Sunday, so having the white count rise on its own is truly a blessing!  All other counts are remaining steady which is so very encouraging.  God is good!

Patrick and I spent the afternoon watching football and we were happy to see both the Tarheels and Rebels pull off victories!  Tonight will be another sports filled night with hockey, football and basketball. 

We hear rumors that the docs are discussing possibly letting us go home in the not too distant future!  This is music to our ears, but we know that things can change on a dime, so we are not packing our bags yet.   We are ecstatic that they are approaching the subject! As patient as Patrick has been through this process, he is bored to tears and ready to be home!  We hope to hear more details on Monday.  Stay tuned!  

xoxo caroline

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

-Psalm 34:8 

DOT +52

Patrick’s white count jumped to 6.6 today after being 1.5 yesterday and receiving Neupogen shot.  All other levels were also in normal range which earned him the day off from clinic tomorrow!

Patrick had visits from Jack Taylor, his mom Susan, and William Trentini yesterday.  What a treat it was to see familiar faces his age!  Thank you for making the trip to see us! 

Despite the frustration with the white count, we are so very fortunate that things are going smoothly thus far.  Many of these patients would have endured infections and other complications by this point.  We count our blessings daily and pray that this pattern continues!

Gracias for the love and support!

xoxo caroline 

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

- Psalm 29:11

DOT +50

We made it to day FIVE-O…..come on white count, quit being so slow!

We had a quick trip to the clinic this morning and Patrick enjoyed watching football this afternoon with Dan.

Everything is going very well with the only current hiccup being the white count. It was8.8 Thursday (after Neupogen) and 3.2 Friday and 2.3 today. The docs opted to forgo the Neupogen today with hopes of the count rising by itself!  Platelets were 29 today and hemoglobin 8.4. Patrick has not had any platelets or blood supplements in several days. Having these increase singly is very encouraging, perhaps they are being greedy? Ha!

We head back to the clinic tomorrow to check the white count. All fingers and toes crossed! Thank you for your continued love and support.

xoxo caroline

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13