My Routine..

It's been about a week since KJ has been home from the hospital. So far we have had 3 doctors visits and 1 blood platelet transfusion. Although his platelet levels were at 54 on Friday, doctors thought it best to go ahead an give him a transfusion to ensure he would make it through the weekend without levels dropping lower.  However, Monday January 13th's appointment his platelet levels were at 81! This is great news, meaning his body his creating blood platelets on its own!  As I stated before in a pervious blog a normal blood platelet count is 150,000 - 400,000 platelets per microliter (mcL).

On Monday's appointment, I also learned KJ's red blood cells or bone marrow cells are all Karson's cells now, simply meaning KJ's body is producing the donated cells!  However, KJ's immune system is slower to produce the new donated cells, in part because he's taking a drug called Tracolimus (Tacro), which in simple terms is used to suppresses the immune system to prevent rejection of new donor cells.

According to doctors, we will be learning a lot about 1. Bone Marrow Cells marker CD33 and 2. Immune Systems marker CD3.  I was also introduced to a new term 'Chimerism.'  Chimerism, is the testing used to determine engraftment after a bone marrow transplant and to diagnosis rejection.  It will test the amount of recipient cells vs. that amount of donor cells.

Our next appointment is tomorrow, Thursday.  Soon my aunt Sharon, whose been my lifesaver throughout the whole BMT processes will be leaving which makes me sad.  So thank God, my routine is getting a little easier each day, but it is sill a lot of work.

1st follow-up doctor's visit. KJ is in good spirits! 

2nd doctor vist KJ gets a platelet transfusion 

3rd doctor's visit KJ is being KJ..SMH

Daily routine getting easier