WBC = .9
ANC = .4

With the exception of the bandage change, it was a pretty good day. Her fever was down and for awhile we even had a normal reading. Granted, she was on Celebrex and Tylenol at the time, but we’ll take it. Nothing is too small to be overlooked or appreciated. She was even on her feet and walking around a little today. We did increase her pain medication dosage and that seems to have made a difference as well. I know it sounds like we increase the fentanyl frequently, and we do, but right now the best thing is to keep her as comfortable as possible. She is still battling the mucusitis and we hope the increasing white counts are going to help. We know they will but it does take some time. Just when we thought we had turned a corner, with regards to the mucusitis, it proves to still be an issue. We can see the effect it has on her mouth and we can only assume what it is like internally. We do know it is an issue because there is some blood when we vent the gtube and when she vomits. The biggest indicator is that Rafi complains about her throat and stomach at times. This does happen with all blood and marrow transplant kids, and unfortunately all you can do is wait it out. Her counts are coming in quickly and we know that will make a world of difference in the coming days.

She is starting to heal. Some of the wounds on the back of her thighs and on her face are looking better. It will take some time for them to be completely gone but just as important, the rate of new wounds seems to be decreasing. She is still very itchy but the bouts of serious pruritis seem to be less intense and of shorter duration. Without any real scientific evidence, I believe we can say that we see a small change even this early in the game. We haven’t made it back to baseline yet but we are headed in that direction. Again, nothing is to small to be overlooked or appreciated.

Thankfully, we’ve added another movie into her repertoire at this point. Shrek is still her out and out favorite, but she now allows me to watch Kung Fu Panda with her as well. Thank goodness for that, because Shrek was only funny the first 2,000 times. Every once in a while I can sneak in the Muppet Movie as well and she seems to really get a kick out of Fozzy Bear. I forgot how many cameo appearances there are in that movie, so for now it is entertaining.

That’s it for now. Until tomorrow…….