Another quick update.  We went into the BMT Clinic today (December 22nd) to check Jeff's blood levels - absolute neutraphil count is: 5.1! Doctors are very pleased.  His central line will be removed Friday morning at 10:00 a.m.

MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!  We love you all and are so grateful for your love, support and many prayers in our behalf.

We went to the BMT Clinic on Monday, December 19th, hoping to have Jeff's central line removed, but because of the nausea throughout the weekend, the doctor delayed the line removal until Thursday, the 22nd.

We think we've figured out the nausea situation!  Jeff decided that he needed to be on a more strict schedule with his nausea meds and he also needed to be drinking more fluids.  Today, December 20th, has been a really good day.  We were able to go to the mall and walk for 30 minutes today because the air outside is on the bad side.  Jeff has felt so much better since he has been taking nausea meds every three hours during the day, trading off with Atavan and Compazine and has been drinking more water!  So we are sticking to this schedule hoping for better days ahead. 

This is Laraine with a quick update.  On Wednesday, December 7th Jeff had an appointment with the BMT Clinic to have blood levels checked.  Jeff's neutraphils (infection fighters) had dropped to 900, which was down from the levels he had while in the hospital.  We were a little concerned but were told that this usually happens and hopefully the levels would soon be up.  Jeff was checked again on December 9th and was told that the levels had dropped again just slightly to about 800.  Another visit to the BMT Clinic on December 14th indicated that all his levels were going up and his neutraphil count was at 2,000!  Wahoo!  The doctor was very happy about that and so were we.  Jeff continues to be weak and tires quickly but he's determined to get stronger.  He exercises each morning and we take a 30 minute walk together each day.  The nausea is still persisting but we are hoping it will go away soon. 

December 7, 2011

Hi, this is Laraine with an update.  Jeff was able to come home the afternoon of December 5th!  His blood levels were stable enough and he was taking in enough calories to come home.  We are all so grateful to have him back with us.  He continues to be weak and is still trying to keep the nausea away, which may persist for another week or so. 

Monday evening we were able to have Emily, Libby, Brad and boys and our Grandma Cain over for a short home evening.  It did Jeff and Grandma good to see each other and have a visit.  What would we do without our families?  They are such a blessing to us.

Tuesday, December 6th, was quiet and spent settling in at home.  We walked together around Falcon Park for 30 minutes.  It was such a beautiful calm day and the mountains were gorgeous.  It was much better than walking the halls of LDS Hospital!  Jeff came with me to do a couple of errands and we even stopped in at The Home Depot for 10 minutes.  The rest of the evening was spent resting and watching some TV.

Wednesday, December 7th, we have a follow-up visit at the BMT Clinic at LDS Hospital.  Hopefully it will be a good visit.  We will keep you advised.  Love you all and thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers in our behalf.

We have engraftment!

Hello..  Today is Day 11 and my Dad's neutrophils jumped all the way up to 1200!  Thank you neupogen.. (a white cell booster that he has been getting each day).  He is still feeling pretty nauseated and food just doesn't seem appealing yet and he isn't eating much.  He also just feels completely wiped out.  Thankfully.. no fevers or infections and no mouth sores still so there are some positive things to come out of this transplant.

Yesterday as my Dad was talking with the doc's he put his hand up on his head and with that came out a big clump of hair.  The tech trimmed off his beard that he had been growing out since his admission to the hospital and the rest of his hair. My mom and I headed up to the hospital and we finished off the job. When I brought the picture home to Brandon, he thought my Dad had a resemblance to Terry O'Quinn, or John Locke on Lost.  I think so! 

We are hoping he will come home early next week.  Hopefully he can rest, start feeling better and work at getting his strength and appetite back.  Thanks  for your comments, thoughts and prayers.