DOT +48

Patrick's white count jumped from 1.4 yesterday to 8.8 today. That is a true roller coaster! Needless to say, no shots today. As I was talking to Nurse Matt today, he made the perfect comment "this is not a sprint, it is a marathon!" Amen!

God is good!

Stay tuned for tomorrow's update.

xoxo caroline

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

- Psalm 29:11

DOT +47

Dad again... Patrick's White Blood Count today showed an additional drop to 1.4. It was discouraging since 3 days ago it had risen to 5.8. The doctors, however, reminded us to stay positive. "I don't think you should be concerned at this point. Sometimes the marrow just takes longer to recover for unknown reasons." Patrick was put back on Neupogen, the bone marrow stimulant, to try and re-boost his marrow recovery.

At day 60 he will be tested again to determine donor cell percentage. It is possible that he will need additional donor cells if the test shows the need. So, there is no doubt that this journey IS a roller coaster and stressful physically & emotionally. Thanks to everyone's continued prayers and correspondence, Patrick continues to stay positive and move forward.

"Family is the most important thing in the world."

Princess Diana

Dan

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

- Jeremiah 29:12-13

DOT +46

Dad again... quick post. After a day off yesterday we returned to clinic for daily labs and a chest x-ray. Patrick's White Blood Count dropped to 2.6 which was over a 3 point drop. The doctors expected that big of a drop because they discontinued the bone marrow stimulant neupogen shots on Saturday. His labs looked great otherwise, so he will have the day off tomorrow and Thursday. Good news.
"You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength."
Marcus Aurelius

Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers.
Dan

And he said... "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord."
- Job 1:21

DOT +45

Dad again...Patrick is 45 days in to his transplant journey. This is important because it marks the approximate halfway point in the most serious portion of his treatment. Being home for the Christmas holidays with family and friends is the goal now. Patrick's White Blood Count has steadily increased over the past 3 days. It went from 3.4(Thursday)to 4.2(Friday) to 5.8 yesterday. The white count range for a normal person is 3.2-9.8. Yesterday he did not need any supplements at the clinic. His labs looked so good that the doctors gave him the day off today. This is really great. It's the first day in the past 45 days he hasn't had to make the trek to the clinic to receive treatment. It actually feels strange not having to go. 

This past week started off with signs the transplant could possibly be failing to signs that everything is positive. One of Patrick's doctors had this to say about the results of the "Whose is whose" test we received Thursday. "Overall, of all of the cells in his blood, 77% are of donor origin! This is very hopeful!" Hopeful is how we remain here in Durham. Thanks for the continued thoughts and prayers.

"Either you run the day or the day runs you."

Jim Rohn

Dan

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

- John 15:5

DOT +42

What a difference a day makes has never seemed as real as it did today. Needless to say, this week has been pretty disappointing with my white count not budging even with the Neupogen shots. However, we received some great new today. Seeing a smile on Dr. Chao’s face when I saw him said a lot, but when he said that he was pleased with the results of the RFLP test, that really nailed it.

There’s no doubt that there have been some hurdles to cross which have gotten me where I am today, often referred to by Mom as “the roller-coaster.” A couple of days ago I thought this was not going to work. The white count jumped around for days which was very frustrating. But today is another day and hearing that I have 77% donor cells was literally better than Christmas morning. Also, my white count jumped up to 3.4 which is in a normal human range. All great news. 

I know that I still have a long road ahead but I’m ready for whatever it may bring.

Thank you for all your support.

Patrick

Test	Patrick	Normal Range
White Blood Cell Count	3.4	3.2-9.8 (this will go to zero)
Hemoglobin	8.9	13.7-17.3 (they try and keep it above 8.0)
Platelet Count	12	150-450 (they try and keep it above 10)

 Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

- 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Patrick and Kerry, Dr. Chao's PA

DOT +41

Great news!! Patrick's white blood count today was 2.9!!! We are hoping to receive "whose is whose" test results tomorrow.

God is good!

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers!

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
- Ephesians 3:16-19

DOT +40

As Mom said the other day "the roller coaster has reappeared but we know that this is only temporary!" Well we're back on it! Today Patrick's white count fell back down to 1.9. Since the white count is having trouble increasing, the doctors are thinking about possibly doing a bone marrow biopsy. He needed blood today and of course potassium (no surprise at all!). This took about 3 and a half hours and Mom and Patrick were back at the apartment by 12:30. 

We will hopefully get the results of the whose is whose test tomorrow. Please continue praying for Patrick's white count to increase with more donor cells that his own... sorry p!! Thank you for all of your support. God is good!

Xoxo,

Mary

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

- Romans 5:5

Test	Patrick	Normal Range
White Blood Cell Count	1.9	3.2-9.8 (this will go to zero)
Hemoglobin	7.9	13.7-17.3 (they try and keep it above 8.0)
Platelet Count	12	150-450 (they try and keep it above 10)