Monday, April 19, 2010

Looking for more platelets

The doctors have given the authorization to remove Tyler's neck catheter, which will really improve his comfort and mobility. The surgeons are requiring that Tyler have a platelet level of at least 50, which is probably a good idea with all of the bleeding he did at the installation!

They couldn't get him quite high enough yesterday, so will be giving him a couple more bags of platelets today to try to hit that magic number. As a side note, I want to encourage you to donate blood. The platelets (and red blood cells) that Tyler will be receiving come from donations in the community and are essential for keeping his body functioning through the chemo process.

Another good note about yesterday is that Tyler is finally out of isolation! I spend the majority of my day in the room with Tyler and hated sitting around in a gown, mask, and disposable gloves anytime I was in the room, so I am celebrating this more than anyone!

We think today is the last treatment of chemo, although he will continue to trend downwards in blood counts for at least another week, before turning the corner and heading back towards normal counts.

He is feeling a little bit stronger and has his 2nd physical therapy appointment today.  His goal is to increase his strength enough to be able to walk around the room unaided, which he isn't really able to do right now.  After that, we will be able to progress to walking in the halls and building up his strength again.

2 comments:

  1. Hi Mandy & Tyler,
    Sitting here thinking of you guys and sending you warm thoughts and good wishes! I wish there was anything I could do to take away the pain of all this. You both are in my thoughts and prayers every day. I pray you both find renewed energy, courage, and strength each day to keep fighting this. You are battle buddies in the war against leukemia. Your love for each other will help you stay strong. with fond regard, Diane

    “Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. Love still stands when all else has fallen.”

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  2. T-Money: we're thinking of you guys. Glad to hear you're out of isolation and can kick it with the germs again.

    Mandy: thanks a ton for all of the updates. I don't know how you do it.

    -Leif and Patty

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