Day +16, +17, +18, & +19

I have a little catching up to do!
Friday,  Steven's WBC count stabilized at 1.4 but his platelets started to increase to 25,000.  The doctor said it isn't unusual for counts to sit for awhile...they aren't concerned.  Steven is starting to eat a little more.  Apparently our WBC do more than fight infection.  The RN said that when his WBC count increases he will be able to taste more foods and he won't be as nauseated.

Saturday, WBC's still at 1.4 but platelets are now at 38,000.  Our doctor said the platelets will need to be at least 50,000 and ANC >1.0 before discharge.  His WBC and platelet count is higher than when we were hiking in Wildwood, before being admitted, with the dog, plague, pollen, unleashed pitbulls and anything else in a natural green space.

Sunday, WBC still at 1.4 but platelets are now at 50,000 and ANC is 1.0!!  While I'm looking for his luggage so we can leave, the doctor reminds us that the counts can drop at any time and increase again.  Because of this we are looking at returning to Duarte 2X/week after discharge.
Steven enjoyed the company of a repeat visitor.

Monday, so the WBC's woke up and Steven's count is 1.8 with an ANC of 1.0.  And the platelets are happy campers at 89,000.  He had to have a unit of RBC's this morning.  His RBC count has fluctuated quite a bit.  After discharge, he will most likely have to have RBC's which is why the Hickman will be left in.  Steven is getting close to his target numbers to be discharged.  It's crazy because the time here has gone quickly.  It is possible he will be discharged in the next week.
Steven enjoyed the company of another repeat visitor and platelet donor.  Won't you all be happy when you aren't coming to COH to donate!!

And speaking of the Hickman, I had a tutorial with Steven's RN on the care of his catheter.  It's a piece of cake... don't push a bolus of air in his line and you will be fine.  I'm good with that! Basically I will be pushing heparin/saline mixture in each port once a day to keep the lines open.  The sterile dressing will get changed once per week.

I'm into long term planning and requested the nutritionist come tomorrow to give me the ins and outs on cooking for someone after BMT.  There are a lot of rules.  One of the nurses thought cutting boards had to be cleaned with bleach.  I'm not sure I own bleach...  More on that after my appointment tomorrow.