Good News From 1486

Good Morning Everyone -

This is Mary's son Adam, it's Sunday morning about 11:00 and the room is full of smiles to start the day!  The team of doctors was in about 9:00 and told us that her numbers are improving, and I'm going to do my best in trying to explain what her numbers mean. 

When I got to her room on Thursday night after my flight from Pittsburgh her WBC (White Blood Cell) count was a .4, and it was building slowly the 4 or 5 days leading up to that.  Mom was frustrated when I sat down with her that night, and to be frank she broke down to me because she was so worried that the numbers were not going to come back up.  She also expressed to me how different things felt this time around, she wasn't feeling as confident about being able to eliminate the leukemia this time... I could tell she was very scared.  We shared lots of tears and emotions that night, but I also knew that it was my time to build her confidence up and thankfully over the next few days the numbers have given me some ammunition!!! 

Friday morning the WBC's went to .5, then by Friday night it was at .6, and finally to .7 on Saturday.  I got back last night after having dinner with Dad and we still didn't have an updates so we knew we had to wait until this morning.  So the team came in today and told us that her WBC's were at .8 (I kept telling her that I wanted them over 1 before I left on Sunday) and they also gave us an update on her Nuetrophils (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutrophil_granulocyte) which is a key component of your immune system and it's ability to fight off infection.  Those numbers are between 250 and 300 right now and climbing quickly, and they have to be at 500 or above in order for Mom to GO HOME!!  I included a picture below that might look a bit ordinary....but this is a room down the hall from Mom that no one is currently occupying...I want this to be what room 1486 looks like in a few days!! 

So we are very thankful for the positive news today, Mom's spirits lifted immediately and all three of us shared some hugs and smiles, and even some happy tears!!  Things feel very different today than they did when I arrived on Thursday night.  Please continue to pray for Mom's numbers to improve so that she can go home with confidence knowing that she can allow her body to heal in the comfort of her own home and surroundings.  Also pray that her stomach can start feeling better...after she eats she is immediately does not feel well but so far there is no medication that is really helping with that. 

Just a few other updates from the weekend;  Julie turned the big 3-0 on Thursday, which is pretty hard to believe, and all 5 of us and some of our spouses were able to go out and celebrate with her on Friday night. 

Mom's brother Jack and his son Jonny were able to come and see her on Saturday afternoon.  Amy, Brian and the girls are coming up today to visit Grammy, it's been a few weeks since she has seen Amy's oldest two girls Madi and Tay so she is excited they are all coming up today.  I am heading out in a few hours to go back to PA, and hopefully will be visiting Mom at home the next time I come out!!  My family won't be able to see her for at least another 2 months or so because Bre is due with our baby girl on June 10, so next time we come out we'll have Grandkid #8 for Grammy to meet.  We also heard good news about Cartlan the other day from Suzanne, he gained 3 pounds from his last doctors appointment and continues to do very well! 

Someone will update you soon with more results from Mom's bloodwork, and we hear that Dr. Jessica will be talking with the team about what the next few days might look like for Mom in regards to when she can leave and what the next steps of treatment might be.  Love to you all, and I have one more favor to ask...if you are reading this blog please take some time to write Mom by posting a comment.  She loves checking in on the blog to see who has posted a response and I would really appreciate if everyone would send her some encouraging thoughts over the next few days. Talk to you soon,

Adam