His lab numbers continue to impress. His WBCs are trending down (.7) and his hemoglobin is hangin' in the mid-7's. He should bottom out in the next day or two on his white count (nadir), stay there for a while, then start the climb back up with Mary's stem cells producing new white cells.
Steve has been socializing with some of his dorm friends and has been scoping out empty rooms. Per our collective nagging efforts, he has put in a request for a brighter room or one with a better view. I think that will break up his time and will provide a more cheery atmosphere. I will admit to trying to watch the Air and Water Show from the hall, not realizing what an awesome view the north rooms have, goodness!!
He is comparing notes with other transplant patients. I imagine it's like the medical version of Hogan's Heroes. "Hey, Klink, when did they say YOU could go home?" "I hear dare are tranzzplahnt people on dis floor who do NOT haf kahn-ser, day are getting trahnsplahnts for *other* tings...." Okay, now I'm really nosy if there are "other" things being cured other than blood cancers on that floor, so I will follow up myself!
Another thing that I find fascinating are the many checks and balances in place regarding patient safety. (Hopefully) many of you are blood donors. Again, I thank all donors of any kind from the bottom of my heart. Steve has lost count of how many gallons he has received since April 30. O- people, keep giving even though he is going to be blood type A soon, as Mary is A. Steve has a 3-letter code assigned to him that is on his wristband. Only Steve and the blood center have this code. The blood is tubed up (like at the drive-though teller!) in a code-locked bag. The nurse has to ask Steve for the combination in order to get the blood out of the transport bag. This way, only the blood that is meant for him gets to him. An additional nurse has to be present, one reads the information from Steve's wrist band, like birth date and patient number, the other nurse validates the information from a printout that travels with the blood. It's pretty cool and kind of Mission Impossible-ish. At least when Peter Graves was the star.
Sounds like all is going well so far... keep up the good work Steve (& Mary's stem cells). From what I've read through the registry, stem cells can also be given to patients with rare blood disorders (ex. Sickle-Cell Anemia) & if someone has a severe or advanced autoimmune disorder & need to replenish their own bone marrow to fight off some advanced infections. So, even though not caused by cancer, they still need it for the same reasons, to produce their own healthy blood. But do keep us posted on what you hear on the floor about it.
ReplyDeleteTwo things, first I guess times have changed. I am surprised that he is allowed to be around people when his immunity is about zero. Second, I am happy to announce I have type A blood!!. ( A- to be exact). Let me know if you ever need any. :)))
ReplyDeleteKaren, he is on a special floor in the hospital that has immunosuppressed patients. No latex balloons or live plants are allowed. Both wings are negative pressure environments; visitors have to pass through two sets of double doors where the pressure is equalized from outside to inside. A hand-washing station is located between those sets. He is tested for VRE at admit and once weekly. Until a patient tests negative for VRE (and I think MRSA too, not sure), everyone entering must mask, gown and glove. Once they are negative, no one needs to do that anymore. The huge issue is visitors, and the staff has cheerfully informed us that are experts at tossing the ignorant out to the curb!
ReplyDelete...and thanks for the kind offer of blood. Just keep donating if that's what you have been doing, and PLEASE join Be The Match!!!
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