Friday Update

Hey,

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days, but nothing much has happened. We got home Tuesday night, about 5:30. Kris delivered Matthew about 6:30 and Eric was home when we got there. It was so great to see the boys! Matthew was full of stories about all of his adventures with the Altoonians and the Wherley's (although he referred to is as staying at Grimsby's house and Riley's house -- those are their dogs!). Thanks to both families for taking such great care of my boys. It really does make a very stressful time so much easier, and we are blessed to have you in our lives.

Matthew had a bit of a bad night Tuesday night. He was fine up until bedtime, but then kind of lost it a little bit. After I tucked him in, he wouldn't let go of my arm, and was crying, but said he didn't know why. It must have been anxiety about me going away again. I ended up sleeping with him (try sleeping in a twin bed with a 42 pound fish out of water!). Not terribly restful, but he felt much better in the morning when he woke up & I was there. I have to remember he's still only 4.

Greg spent Wednesday sleeping (thanks for not calling that day!). He was truly wiped out. He's on oral antibiotics now & feels much better. His color and energy improve daily. He was told to avoid crowds & small children (!), at least until we talk to the doctor next Tuesday. They're little germ factories, you know.

Wednesday night, we had our first family dinner in weeks (Eric is done with swimming, so no more daily practices -- only hockey twice a week. So, we may actually see a little bit of him from time to time (at least when he's hungry!)). It was great being all together again.

Medically, here's the plan: Greg gets his blood drawn today. On Tuesday, we go to St. Louis to see Dr. Vij of the transplant team. Hopefully, we can get some answers as to why his blood counts are not up to normal levels. Unfortunately, we think we already know the answer based upon what was told to us at Barnes. Basically, this is a second transplant & his bone marrow is getting "worn out" for lack of a better phrase. The engrafting may not have been complete. So, these low numbers may be "normal" for him -- meaning, he will continue indefinitely to have low platelets and a low white count, meaning susceptible to bleeding and infection. Something tells me this is not the last time we'll be dealing with "ramonia" or God knows what else. However, we are going to get a plan in place so that the next time this happens, we can skip St. Johns (locals) and skip the $3500 ambulance ride, and to straight to Barnes in St. Louis.

Greg just called & told me that his whites & reds from today's draw are "normal for him" but that his platelets are at 15 (140 is minimum for normal). The cutoff for transfusions is 20, so he was headed for St. John's to get some. I told him to drive carefully on the way there, but that he could drive like a bat out of hell on the way home 'cause he'll have platelets then.

A lot of people have asked what they can do to help. Andy gave me this idea. If you can, donate blood and platelets. Even if you can't earmark them specifically for Greg, any platelets in the system help. As soon as I get caught up at work, I'm going to go sign up. Eric is giving at the blood drive at school next week. I was told that though blood is type specific (Greg is A+, but we already knew that!), platelets can be given between any blood types. But, be warned, I hear platelet donations take longer, particularly the first time. But to anyone who can, a HUGE thanks in advance.

That's about all for now. I'll post again after we see Vij on Tuesday.

Thanks to all!

Love,

Ann & Greg