Day +9!

Today was magical. We woke this morning to heavy, white snow fall the 2nd week in December! Immediately following, the team of doctors arrived with the best news of my entire life! My mom's white blood cell count is at .5!! Engraftment! The stem cells produced disease fighting cells, and on top of that, the count is suppose to double tomorrow. They projected her release day for this Friday. We cried like babies all morning. Nothing else mattered. I finally feel that we have our lives back. It's only up from here.

I could tell the change in energy last night. At around 9:00pm her fever broke and then about 1:00am she became really chatty. I felt like we were having a slumber party. We joked and laughed and talked for at least an hour. We both attributed it to a breaking fever, but we secretly hoped it was a climbing wbc count.

Since her neutrophils are still only 300, she continues on one of the antibiotics, a bag of potassium and antifungals. Tomorrow she will hopefully be off everything but fluids. She will go home with a year prescription of antivirals and orders to rest, rest, rest!

After we calmed down from the excitement and emotion, my mom had the energy to bathe and walk a lap around our hallway. This was exciting for me since she hasn't been out of bed (except for bathroom breaks) for days. A few minor set backs in the day happened after the walk. She had a strange rash break out on both her legs. We are waiting for the doctor to come and diagnose it. Then after lunch she had some more stomach issues. The nurse is going to take the last culture of that. I hope it is just from her body processing all the medication being pumped into her.

We also found out that Mandi is fighting bronchitis and can't come in to town with the baby tomorrow. She will have to postpone her trip until she gets well. Mom and I were looking so forward to seeing them this week.

However, as long as my mom is well enough to go home and begin the road to recovery, we can handle anything! Signing off a happy camper.