Stats are improving!
The trends are finally beginning to move in our favor. There have been no high fevers in the last 24 hours and Keith's white blood cell count is beginning to move up. It was .9 thou/ml yesterday and this morning he was up to 1.2. The normal range is 4.0 to 11.0 so we still have a way to go - but the Neupogen seems to be kicking in and we are heading in the right direction.
There is still a little concern about his platelet count - but that too improved a bit this morning. It had dropped yet again during the day yesterday and once again he received a unit of platelets late in the afternoon. This morning he is up to 60,000 from yesterday's 51,000 - still low but finally trending up. Platelets take longer to rebuild than white blood cells so this may be a bit slower in recovering. Nonetheless this is the first day we have registered any increase - in spite of all of the transfusions - so we are greatly encouraged.
The pneumonia seems no worse and Keith is only on oxygen from time to time. He is able to sleep fairly well but does have a bad cough. I would also add that he absolutely looks "better" today - his color is better and much of the swelling from the surgery is now gone. Food is still not very palatable, but he did manage to eat a bowl of oatmeal this morning.
Today's goal is to get up and do a short walk - he is very weak and we want him to build some strength. We are also going to take another step down on the steroids today - that may help with the eating.
We will likely continue to remain in isolation for a few more days - until the docs are comfortable with his white blood cell counts. He is still not quite up for calls - maybe tomorrow.
There is still a little concern about his platelet count - but that too improved a bit this morning. It had dropped yet again during the day yesterday and once again he received a unit of platelets late in the afternoon. This morning he is up to 60,000 from yesterday's 51,000 - still low but finally trending up. Platelets take longer to rebuild than white blood cells so this may be a bit slower in recovering. Nonetheless this is the first day we have registered any increase - in spite of all of the transfusions - so we are greatly encouraged.
The pneumonia seems no worse and Keith is only on oxygen from time to time. He is able to sleep fairly well but does have a bad cough. I would also add that he absolutely looks "better" today - his color is better and much of the swelling from the surgery is now gone. Food is still not very palatable, but he did manage to eat a bowl of oatmeal this morning.
Today's goal is to get up and do a short walk - he is very weak and we want him to build some strength. We are also going to take another step down on the steroids today - that may help with the eating.
We will likely continue to remain in isolation for a few more days - until the docs are comfortable with his white blood cell counts. He is still not quite up for calls - maybe tomorrow.
posted by Keith and Kathy | 10:25 AM
2 Comments:
Again, sending love from afar
Thanks for updating the blog.
Love you,
Karin
Thankyou for the update...there is a foot of snow up here on Mammoth...winter will be on the heels of fall shortly...and Keith will be ready to go out and about with his family and friends in the same short time! We all look forward to your smile again, my dear Keith!
Mercedes
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