Kaitlyn's blood cell counts are finally on the rise! So, here's what's coming up:
Tomorrow--we may find out if any of the siblings that have been tested so far (Levi, Alexa, Mallory, Sam, or Jacob), is a preliminary bone marrow match. I heard today that the lab said somebody's test results look promising. I don't know whose.
In the next few days--ANC (ahh...another acronym), which stands for Absolute Neutrophil Count. Neutrophils are the white blood cells that fight infection. When you have few, or no, neutrophils due to, say, chemotherapy, you are labelled "neutropenic" and put in isolation on a low-bacteria diet. Kaitlyn has been on neutropenic restrictions for almost a month. That's right--confined to her hospital room for a month...not allowed fresh fruits or fresh vegetables in a month.... As her white blood cells rise in the next few days she should be able to go out in the hallway and eat a banana! Hey--you don't know how much it means 'til it's gone!
Monday--Kaitlyn has been tentatively scheduled for her bone marrow biopsy. This will tell whether this first round of chemo has put the leukemia in remission.
A day or two later--Kait will be discharged and, if a local pilot steps up and volunteers, we will be flown to SLC by Angel Flight.
So that's it. Pray for a perfect match, a higher neutrophil count, a safe flight, and remission!
Stay tuned....
My prayers are with you!
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