| March 16, 2004 Tuesday Day +12 of transplant Day 20 in the hospital |
| Things seem to be moving in the right direction. If all goes well the next few days we may be discharged by the weekend. Talk about a mix of emotions. Paige is feeling good and her lab work is looking great. She's a bit irritable, but probably normal for any child who's been isolated in a room for three weeks. Actually, I think the doctors are a bit surprised at how well Paige is recovering. Since she was receiving several different medications that aren't compatible with each other they temporarily stopped her TPN and Lipids (IV nutrition) and planned to restart them when her new broviac catheter (needed for long-term IV access) is re-inserted. Well, she has had such a great appetite they may not have to re-start them for now. Since most transplant patients go home on IV nutrition we're keeping our fingers crossed that she will continue to eat well. We're excited for Dr. Yanik to return to floor rounding tomorrow so we can get a better idea of what he has planned for future treatment. They have her scheduled for surgery tomorrow at 9 a.m. for the new broviac. Since her platelets are only 16,000 (high risk for bleeding) they will be giving her platelets during the night in preparation for surgery.. Yesterday we were given a discharge package to review that included ten pages of restrictions for the first 100 days following transplant. The restictions will be lifted right before her third birthday on June 21st, so a big celebration will be in store. After discharge we will return the clinic here in Ann Arbor 2-3 times a week for labwork for the first month following discharge. While Dr. Yanik will continue to be involved in Paige's care, she may be released to her Hurley oncologists after a month for continued lab work and check-ups. While we would travel wherever we need, it would be so much more convenient to have her lab work done at Hurley (plus, we miss everyone there). Thanks again to everyone for their continued prayers, love and support. We so look forward to going home. But, until we have discharge papers in hand and are out the door we will continue to take each day as it comes. Love, Andy, Sandi & Paige |
| Labwork 3-15 WBC 3.0 (3,000) Hemoglobin 10.7 Platelets 18,000 ANC 1,800 |
| Labwork 3-16 WBC 5.8 (5,800) Hemoglobin 10.9 Platelets 16,000 ANC 3,600 |
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