"How are those White Blood Cells?"

(Tuesday, March 9, 2010)

Update from Emily:

I woke up early this morning eager to call mom ... I have been praying specifically that Dad's white blood cell counts would start rising once again.

"Sorry, Emmy," she said as I asked about his numbers this morning. "No change. His white blood cell counts are still at zero."

This is the sixth day that Dad's cell counts have remained at zero, so we are praying that they will rapidly start reproducing! The doctors do not seem alarmed and told Mom this morning that they have seen the white blood cells stay at zero for three weeks!

A little of the disappointment for our family, however, lies in the fact that dad's hospitalization depends on his white blood cell count. We want him home - or at least moving to the transition home before he can move home!

Before Dad's transplant, the doctors explained that if his numbers were good, he could leave the bone marrow wing of the hospital by the end of this week. After leaving the bone marrow wing, Dad will be moved to a "transitional" apartment until his immune system is strong enough to be back in his own home.

Many of my own friends have asked about Dad's recovery. How long will he be hospitalized? When will he start working again? Etc. Those answers vary so widely from person to person after having a bone marrow transplant. Due to his compromised immune system, he is not allowed to be home due to dust, risk of infection, preschoolers!, etc. until his immune system is stronger. There is an apartment complex on hospital grounds that Mom and Dad will move into once Dad's numbers start increasing!

So, we continue to pray for those white blood cells.

And tomorrow morning, I will wake up and call my mom filled with hope once again, "How are his numbers today?"

Thank you so much for joining my family on this journey.

Comments

Still praying every day...
Anonymous said…
We continue to pray with you. We wake up every morning to check the blog to see if there has been that upward change that we are praying for.
We feel certain that it WILL come. Waiting is so haaaaard to do, isn't it?
God bless and keep you.
We love you.
Lex and Linda
Anonymous said…
A prayer for your sweet family and your Dad..Emily.
Lord, for Bob, we ask Your tender mercies, that You would keep him daily in Your healing care, giving wisdom to those attending him... providing strength and encouragement....we ask that his body will soon respond to treatment...We ask that your love will be felt by Bob, Patra and the children in a powerful and special way... Thank You for hearing our prayers... in the blessed name of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen...
Bob and Dorothy Deason
Anonymous said…
Yes Lord, we petition you with our hearts that Bob's white counts take that "leap" that he needs to have to be able to come out of the wing that he is in and that he will be able to move to the transition apartment soon. Lord, he is in your hands; you know every breath he takes & know what is in store for him. His testimony speaks for itself Lord and thank you for all that you are doing in his life. We know his testimony has touched so many people and know that will continue. Pray for rest & relief for Patra and the rest of the family as well. Thank you Jesus!! Amen

Ted & Carol W