How Sweet The Sound!
So, it was great to hear the words “No evidence of disease!” come out of Matthew’s doctors mouth, twice.
But even greater was to hear “You are engrafted!”
They say that when a Bone Marrow Transplant patient is at an ANC of 0.5 (500) or greater for 3 days that indicated that their Stem Cells have engrafted and their marrow is funtioning.
Matthew went from an ANC of 0.0, no immune system, to one of 0.5 in one day and everyone was happy. Then the next day it was at 3.2 (3200) and everyone was excited. Then today his number was at 9.96 (9960). This is over only three days. And the doctors are amazed!
This should mean that the trip home is getting very close and that makes Matthew smile very big!!!!!
There is still the weening off of a few meds that were required when his Stem Cell engrafting brought with it some fever. They are so thorough here at TX Childrens Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Unit that they want to make absolutely sure that he is ready to go home before releasing him.
Thank you all for all your prayers. Please keep them lifted up as there will be a little while before his immune system, though looking very very good, is “mature enough” to be fully protecting him.
But, given how well his immune system is bouncing back, and the fact that they are his own Stem Cells at work, it is our hope and prayer that this time will be short.
May the Lord bless and keep you all!
Matthews Cancer Adventure 