As the title of this blog reflects, this afternoon one of the doctors came by to give us the GREAT NEWS that Carol’s aggressive Leukemia blast cells took a dive to below 5%. This is something we have been waiting to hear from the day we arrived at Moffitt.
Needless to say this is a very important threshold in her treatment and it means basically that she can now go ahead with the preparations for the bone morrow transplant later on.
Tonight Carol starts with a medication to bring up her white cell count for her ANC (absolute neutrophil count) level to reach over 500 so she can go home. YES HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!
While waiting all day to have the biopsy results, Carol had a visit from her brother Michael, and sister in-law Sherry. This was a great distraction and made the hours of waiting go faster.
Michael and Sherry drove up from Venice, having sailed from the Burnt Store Marina (somewhere between Punta Gorda and Ft. Myers)
It was a very nice visit, including a (never failing) walk around the beautiful USF campus. See the picture I took of the 3 of them at the very contemporary Marshal Student Center.
Sometime after our walk, the massage therapist, Elaine, surprised us and Michael, Sherry and I had to take a hike for half an hour.
After Michael and Sherry left, Carol took me for another short celebratory walk, this time we only had half an hour, so with a short leash we had to stay close to the hospital and after a much needed shower, Carol got into her PJ’s, got connected to the IV for antibiotics and meds. She will be started on an injection to raise her white blood count starting tonight so that her ANC will start coming up.
Now we are sitting around having a GLASS OF WINE (none alcoholic) to celebrate.
We are all very happy today and start counting the days/hours so we can go back home for at least a small break.
More updates soon!!!!!!
Thank you.
Jaime
Needless to say this is a very important threshold in her treatment and it means basically that she can now go ahead with the preparations for the bone morrow transplant later on.
Tonight Carol starts with a medication to bring up her white cell count for her ANC (absolute neutrophil count) level to reach over 500 so she can go home. YES HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!
While waiting all day to have the biopsy results, Carol had a visit from her brother Michael, and sister in-law Sherry. This was a great distraction and made the hours of waiting go faster.
Michael and Sherry drove up from Venice, having sailed from the Burnt Store Marina (somewhere between Punta Gorda and Ft. Myers)
It was a very nice visit, including a (never failing) walk around the beautiful USF campus. See the picture I took of the 3 of them at the very contemporary Marshal Student Center.
Sometime after our walk, the massage therapist, Elaine, surprised us and Michael, Sherry and I had to take a hike for half an hour.After Michael and Sherry left, Carol took me for another short celebratory walk, this time we only had half an hour, so with a short leash we had to stay close to the hospital and after a much needed shower, Carol got into her PJ’s, got connected to the IV for antibiotics and meds. She will be started on an injection to raise her white blood count starting tonight so that her ANC will start coming up.
Now we are sitting around having a GLASS OF WINE (none alcoholic) to celebrate.
We are all very happy today and start counting the days/hours so we can go back home for at least a small break.
More updates soon!!!!!!
Thank you.
Jaime
We are all cheering--- in awe of your strength and wishing you more...
ReplyDeleteYeahh!!! SO awesome. - jason
ReplyDeleteGreat! You let me know when you need a work force to help you at home. I've got people lined up to lend a helping hand! The rowers are ready and able, anxiously awaiting their assignments!
ReplyDeleteOh... and guess what Mangrove Mamacita won the gold in States today at Benderson!
Mary
That was wonderful news! It appears that you're getting the best of treatment and that you have a fantastic support group. You go, girl!
ReplyDeleteDoug