The normal range for WBC (white blood cells) is 4500-11000 cells/MCL. According to Joe's blood draw this morning, he has 66 cells/MCL. They have to be counted manually. It just amazes me how low they are. This week Joe's WBC are expected to be at their lowest. Sixty-six is pretty much lowest. In a few days they should start inching their way up to a more acceptable range. For now, Joe wears a mask while outside of the house. And we've all become pretty obsessive about washing our hands and being clean. Joe even gets his own personal blood pressure cuff and thermometer at the hospital. Pretty special, eh?
Remarkably, Joe is currently feeling better than he has been in awhile. Yesterday and this morning he had a throbbing headache. Today it was discovered that one of his drug (FK5O6/Prograf) dosages may need to be tweaked. Patients on Prograf are tested twice a week. Joe was tested yesterday, and the results today show that his levels are too high. This is a possible reason for his headaches. So hopefully, the headaches will be better once the dosage is changed.
Joe did have a platelet transfusion today, and more magnesium. His appetite is increasing little by little, and Joe can tolerate more than just rice and broth now. When we left the hospital, Joe said that his headache was gone. Everything else felt good too. Hooray for every victory!
Thank you to Akiko and Joe for the balloons! They are so fun and cheery.
2 comments:
There are 66 leukocytes swim in the pond. that's pretty lonely for them. It reminded me of northern part of Norway's population, 2 Per square miles. So quiet that's Santa special for them.
I knew Joe is to be special from the begining. He is smart. He is very knowledgeable. He is strong mentally and physically.He has a most loving heart. I never saw him ever lost temper. Hence he should logically to beat the odd not to be in the hospital at this stage of time as lot people do,particularlly he is living in a seven star papamama hotel now with personal physician Dr. Papa, personal Nurse Mama and personal musical specialist Karen. What else? I am jealous ! With you always.
Oh, so good to read. "Each day has enough problems of its own"..so God tells us not to worry. But we are human and we do! God knows that too: The Scriptures state Jesus made great petitions with tears to His father...just like us. So He an relate to our every temptation. When I am up at night (every night) praying for Livi, I always add Joe. Check out another site, prayforian.com. It should be encouraging to you...it does me. (It is about one of my dearest friends'son, who has been in a coma since September). Let me know if you can't access...it is a real encourager to all of us going through "more than we can bear". Love, Gretchen
P.S. Happy birthday to Joe's PCP!!!!!
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