Sunday, August 2, 2009

Still Going Well

I just got back from my weekend with Greg, and everything is still going well (knock on wood!). We saw Dr. Vij on Friday, and he's pleased with Greg's progress. His platelets rose from 31 to 35 (all by himself!) and the last ones they gave him weren't even HLA matched. Also, the tests Friday showed that his bone marrow is now 100% his donor's, which means he's completely grafted. The GVHD is still an issue, and they upped some of his meds, but he's improved. His skin is really scaly, but Greg assures me it looked worse last week. Also, the CMV (virus) is still an issue. They put him on the IV meds, which he gives himself, twice a day. He has this bulb about the size of a tennis ball with tubing attached. He hooks it up to his central line IV (it screws in) and puts the ball in his pocket. Over the course of a little more than an hour, his heart acts as a natural IV pump, and the medicine pumps into him through the line, deflating the ball. He can walk around and do normal stuff all the while its being administered. Its really an ingenious thing. I've never seen anything like it.

We had crummy weather all weekend, and couldn't do much, but we ate a lot (Hanging with a guy on steroids isn't doing much for my girlish figure!). The interesting thing is that Greg is still LOSING weight. The pants we bought him two weeks ago are getting loose. But, Vij says thats not abnormal and we shouldn't worry. Kacey and I are getting worried that our own clothes won't fit, though! Kacey seems to be doing OK but is getting a little homesick. I think she's going to try to go home for a long weekend in about 2 weeks, so that should help. Mark, maybe that would be a good time for you to come down? We'll have to talk about that.

That's about all for now. Greg goes back for labs on Tuesday, and I'll post with those results then.

Love,

Greg, Ann, Eric, Matthew and Kacey

5 comments:

Judy said...

Glad you had a good weekend! Glad so many things are going well!!! Prayers will continue as well as hugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


US

Francis said...

Pump it up, and keep the get well news coming!

Anonymous said...

Greg and Ann, So glad to hear the good news continues. Still keeping you in our prayers.

Love, Lori & Todd

Pam said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Pam said...

Well I THOUGHT I submitted a post but it didn't seem to take...will try again. Sorry if if the first one DOES finally post and this is all repeated.

So glad it's good news especially that platelets are staying up even with non HLA matched donations and the 100% graft...also good news!

Ann tell Eric thanks from me for helping to entertain Christian, especially while Mary Pat is at work. I know that Christian has enjoyed hanging out with his new American Amics (catalan for friends) Eric and Nik!

Continuing to keep you all in our prayers,

Pam and Russ