Numbers are getting better

Today's numbers continue to show that Keith is improving. His WBC count is now at 3.6 - nearly the 4.0 minimum which is considered the bottom of the normal range. His platelet count was also higher today - 67,000 - so we are over the surgeon's threshold of 60,000. We will need to wait a day or so to confirm that the platelets are rebuilding on their own. Since he did receive a transfusion yesterday, it is not clear that the higher count is a result of the boost we gave him or a result of his bone marrow kicking in and manufacturing on its own - or both.

We had a short discussion with the hematology specialist this morning and she feels that the culprit in the low WBC counts was the Keppra Keith received during the surgery. If this conclusion holds, this would be good news. If the source of the problem is the Temsirolimus (one of the study drugs) we might not be able to continue with the UCLA study. UCLA will need to make its own determination, but hopefully they will agree and Keith will be able to tolerate the study regime . By the way, Keppra is an anti seizure drug - we have used it in the past without problems. It is preferred for use during surgery because it can be administered by IV.

In spite of the good news on the blood front, Keith is feeling even weaker today than yesterday. The pneumonia is really taking a toll and he is now on 3 liters of oxygen. Although we had him up to take 2 short turns around the hallway, he was too weak to stand up to brush his teeth a hour or so later. Eating is still a problem, but he is managing a tiny bit more each day. We continue to reduce the steroids each day with a plan to have him off within 10 days.

He is still not able to receive visitors and is not up to phone calls yet. However, we are hopeful that if the blood trends continue and the pneumonia starts to improve he may be able to go home toward the end of the week.