Day +100! A major milestone in the BMT world and we made it! Most acute GVH (graft versus host disease) would have shown up by now. Any problems that linger get moved to the chronic category to be dealt with on a long term basis. By this time, JT is considered past the worst of the procedure and on the path to recovery. Full recovery is slow, with it taking up to possibly two years for him to return to full health. Even today during our clinic visit, we had a taste of the slowness. JT has been experiencing a light rash on his body as well as an infection in his toes (he had ingrown nails cut out last summer). His white blood cells and ANC blood counts were about half of where they were two weeks ago. This is most likely a result of his body trying to fight the infection and rash. He was on a course of antibiotics the last 10 days, but it has not helped so today he was moved to a stronger dose. He was also put back on the anti-fungal medication that he was weaned off last month in case the skin rash is a result of a fungal infection. He began a week course of shots of Neupogen to boost his blood counts to help his body fight all this crud. This was the shot we gave to Sydney before she went in for her bone marrow procedure. The shots sting and cause bone pain, but it’s a great medication. Otherwise, he is in great spirits, enjoying Call of Duty Black Ops, eating lots of Chik-fil-A and improving every day. God is good!
We had a great Thanksgiving with lots to be thankful for! Sydney and I traveled to my hometown, New Concord Ohio to visit with my family for a few days. It was so nice to get away from my “nurse” roll…it’s been years (seriously) since I’ve left him and it was time for both of us to have a break from each other. And I had the most fabulous time with my wonderful, funny, and delightful daughter! I would road-trip with her any day. We discovered that we are both go-with-the-flow travelers and I think Thelma and Louise would have been envious of our trip!
Jim and JT had a great guy’s week as well. Even though I went grocery shopping with their menu plans, I think they enjoyed O’Charleys quite a few times instead! Thanksgiving Day was spent at our BFF’s, The Allen’s where the entire family has amazing cooking skills. The icing on the cake for JT was Kim’s homemade macaroni and cheese! And that’s not even her specialty…her pies are amazing (her Mom’s secret family crust recipe) and Sydney & I were treated to an apple pie waiting for us when we returned. The week ended with a bang on Friday night when JT hosted a “guys” poker night with his friends Matt, Jimmy, Austin and Cam. Jim was the dealer and cook. I made a brief call during the festivities and they all sounded like they were having a ball.
Like I said, God is good! We have so much to be thankful for and most importantly, thank you for taking the time to read this blog, for praying for us, for thinking of us and for helping us through this journey!
xo Sabrina
