He's been "Marrowed"! (BMT Day +3)

A gift from his medical team

Today, Saturday, is post Transplant Day #3 (BMT +3) and Dennis is feeling "OK"; although as expected, he is more tired each day. Eating is becoming less a priority. Protein supplement foods have been ordered for delivery at each mealtime, whether a food tray is ordered or not. Dennis is happy there are choices other than Ensure (the only choice 2 years ago).

To keep his strength up, we have walked a mile in hallway laps each day since Dennis was admitted.

Some of you have inquired about visiting Dennis. Visitors are not restricted, other than for the obvious reasons - no signs of a cold, fever, or other illness.  Children under 18 are asked to wait until Dennis builds his immune system before visiting; at home and about 30 days after he is discharged from the hospital. Here is a general timeline/guide for what to expect in regard to how Dennis might be feeling during each of the coming days -

Because the chemotherapy affect is gradual, Dennis will feel pretty good, other than very tired, this weekend as his white blood cell count continues to drop. Today his WBC count is 2.65, but it will eventually drop to 0.

The red blood cell and platelet counts are dropping too, but can be replenished with a transfusion if necessary. The white blood cells must rebuild themselves and as they do, Dennis will have an almost non-existent immune level. We are told that by the time Wednesday & Thursday (February 11 & 12) arrives, the white blood cell count will be at it’s lowest and Dennis will feel at his worst (and will lose his hair). After that, however, the white blood cell count will begin to climb and, as it does, Dennis will begin to feel better.

The exercise (walking) goal today is 16.5 laps of the hallway (a mile). Dennis completed 8 laps this morning and is napping now. We'll attempt to finish-up later today.