DOT +23

Happy Saturday to all,

We intentionally didn't post last night with hopes of a two day trend since the white count moved to 0.3 yesterday, but it decided to drop back to 0.2. I have declared that we are officially on a roller coaster!  The white count doing this is not abnormal but the normal time to see it move is around day 14, and we are on day 23.  The doctors have tricks up their sleeve to boost the cells if needed.  Trust me, I am much more anxious about it than Patrick!  When the nurse came to tell us the counts, he looked me straight in the eye and told me not to get upset... thank you Patrick, once again you are my boulder!

He is doing as well as can be expected, he is pretty tired and takes a long nap almost every afternoon. The clinic days have been a little long but are easily handled since the staff is so warm and friendly.  I continue to be amazed with Patrick's positive attitude. Nothing seems to get him down except me encouraging him to take his daily walks!

Dan arrived this afternoon after taking a trip to the barber, see photo below. Patrick is looking forward to having him here as he is much better company for weekend sporting events!

Many people have asked what they can do.  First and foremost is pray for a gradual increase in the white count and that the cells are the donors, not Patrick's!  Also, receiving a "real" piece of mail is always very welcoming as life gets pretty boring going to the clinic and back to the apartment day in and day out, see address below.

As always, thank you for your support....stay tuned for roller coaster updates!  

xoxo caroline

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.

- Habakkuk 3:17-19

Patrick Haley

2901 Bertland Ave.

Apt. 1223

Durham, NC 27705

Labs from today:

Test	Patrick	Normal Range
White Blood Cell Count	0.2	3.2-9.8 (this will go to zero)
Hemoglobin	9.2	13.7-17.3 (they try and keep it above 8.0)
Platelet Count	15	150-450 (they try and keep it above 10)

DOT +21

Patrick’s counts remained about the same today, the white count seems to be stuck at .02. Much better to stay the same than plummet to rock bottom, but we are ready for a slight increase!

We spent about 4 hours at the clinic, and Patrick received his antibiotics and potassium. After we arrived home, he fell asleep watching baseball (imagine that!) and is still snoozing away as I write. Today has not been his perkiest, but we know this is a part of the deal and tomorrow is another day. Like Mary mentioned in a blog post last week, take each day “bird by bird.”

We have yet to mention our upstairs neighbor whom we have named “big-foot.” He is such a heavy walker that he knocked the bathroom exhaust fan out of the ceiling! Now I think the office manager knows the conversation we had regarding this issue valid.

We are thankful for the arrival of two new family members, Ford and Hood Kolb… twin sons born to my sister Anne’s daughter and son-in-law, Holt and Gordo Kolb. The boys join their twin sisters, Clyde and Ellie! Welcome to the world Ford and Hood!

Pray for those white cells to increase and pray harder that they are donor cells, not Patrick’s!!!

xoxo. caroline

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

- 1 Peter 5:6-7

Labs from today:

Test	Patrick	Normal Range
White Blood Cell Count	0.2	3.2-9.8 (this will go to zero)
Hemoglobin	9.5	13.7-17.3 (they try and keep it above 8.0)
Platelet Count	17	150-450 (they try and keep it above 10)

DOT +20

Hey everyone! Patrick’s labs remained the same today. His liver and kidneys are handling the antibiotics well which is good news because they can be hard on your body. He is doing well on walking every day. The doctors stress that walking gets the cells moving. Great incentive to get out there!!

We are taking each day and a time, slow and steady wins the race.

Thank you for keeping Patrick in your prayers.

Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

-         -  Ephesians 5:20

DOT +19

Quick post! Just wanted to show lab results.

Thanks for your prayers.

Labs from today:

Test	Patrick	Normal Range
White Blood Cell Count	0.2	3.2-9.8 (this will go to zero)
Hemoglobin	10.5	13.7-17.3 (they try and keep it above 8.0)
Platelet Count	24	150-450 (they try and keep it above 10)

Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place.

- 1 Chronicles 16:27 

DOT +18

Patrick enjoyed having Dad around this past weekend. He said goodbye to him this morning and looks forward to seeing him again on Saturday!

Our daily clinic trip brought some good and bad news. The bad news is that the blood counts decided to drop with the white count back at the bottom. The good news is that the doctors are not alarmed with this at all, it is a very fickle process. A little increase on the white count would be a nice mood booster!! Grow cells, grow!!

We learned today that the IV antibiotics, which Patrick has been receiving since his fever last Tuesday, will continue until the counts increase. No more quick trips to the clinic until then!

Today was chocked full of visitors! Derry stopped by on her way back to Greensboro, Pat came for a visit and brought some yummy food for this week, and Carole Garvey came and brought us a delicious dinner. Carole also brought Patrick a soft comfy throw, her timing could not be more perfect because I just threw ours away… it was shedding all over the apartment! Thank you all!

Patrick continues to have some back pain, which may be related to the white cells moving in. Back pain is a possible side effect with grafting. His appetite has been steady and he has been a little tired. He walked a mile tonight and his spirits continue to stay high. God is good!

Thank you for all your continued prayers.

xoxo. caroline

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

- Philippians 4:6

Labs from today:

Test	Patrick	Normal Range
White Blood Cell Count	<0.10	3.2-9.8 (this will go to zero)
Hemoglobin	10.1	13.7-17.3 (they try and keep it above 8.0)
Platelet Count	19	150-450 (they try and keep it above 10)

DOT +17

Dad again...hello from Durham. Today our clinic visit was scheduled for 11:00 a.m. After the usual scrub up before entering the clinic Patrick checked in for lab work. His labs were drawn and 2 antibiotics were hung for infusion. While the antibiotics were being infused Patrick's labs came back. All of his labs were steady which meant he would not need any blood products or vitamin supplements today. This is always good news. Shortly past 2 o'clock the antibiotics finished pumping and we left the clinic.

Patrick's back was hurting him today and the nurse instructed him to take some of his pain medicine when he got home. On the way we grabbed Firehouse Subs for lunch. As usual Patrick had to remain in the car while I grabbed a takeout order. He can't be in public spaces around any crowds because of the germ risk. After lunch Patrick took some pain medicine and soon he was taking a long nap.

Patrick still has a little pain in his back tonight but he says it is much better. We just walked around the apartment complex foot path twice which is about 1 mile. Exercise is very important and something we try to do daily. I guess we'll settle in to watch the Falcons/Patriots game tonight before starting another week. Mom will take over tomorrow while I head back to Florida for work.

Thank you all for caring. Patrick has an incredibly positive resolve and a "let's get it done" attitude at a really uncomfortable time for him. He's getting through this in part with your help.

-Dan

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

-          Psalm 27:13-14

DOT +16

Patrick and mom made their daily visit to the clinic for labs and a medical provider visit. After the labs were analyzed they indicated Patrick needed antibiotics and more potassium supplements. These all had to be pump infused so it took over 3 hours. His blood rates were stable from yesterday to today so we are continually hopeful the blood levels will increase going forward.

I arrived today to give mom a break. I will stay until Monday. Neither one of our football teams did well today. UNC and Ole Miss both lost.

Thanks everyone for your continued support and prayers.

-Dan

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

-          Psalm 139: 14