Christmas morning Michael woke up feeling much better, a Christmas Miracle and lots of prayers? 'Tis the season, right? I'm smiling, I hope you are smiling with me. Michael celebrated the day with his parents in Chicago in his hotel room and he joined my loud Cuban family and I via FaceTime (gotta love the IPhone, right?) and joined his Canadian family's festivities via Skype. It was wonderful seeing him smile, laugh and partake of the simple pleasures of the holidays. His appetite is still absent and its an undertaking to eat a normal meal, so his Christmas day meal was a few bites of a sandwich. Today Michael had his routine blood tests and was also seen by Dr. Leventhal. I'm happy to say that Michael is progressing in the right direction and its obviously showing. He is no longer on the antibiotic IV drip (YAY!), the IV fluid bags are now just once a day instead of 3 times per day, he was taken off several medications and his platelet count is up to 30,000, which Dr. Leventhal was extremely happy with (lets continue making that doctor happy!). The platelet count is a good indicator of chimerism, which is the whole reason Michael enlisted in this clinical trail. If chimerism is reached and maintained, Michael will be drug-free by this time next year! Dr. Leventhal gave Michael another Neupogen shot since his WBC was a bit low but he stated that its typical to get one at this point in the process. Michael's Creatinine level is 1.47, Dr. Leventhal believes that Michael's normal Creatinine level will remain around this number due to his size (Michael is 6'2"). Michael is still having a difficult time sleeping at night, the Ambien that was prescribed for him has not worked and the Tylenol PM that was recommended by the doctor has not done the job. Today the doctor suggested Chamomile tea - maybe something as simple and wholesome as that will work, right? Michael asked Dr. Leventhal when will he be released to come home and the good doctor said after the Chimerism test if he was doing well. The Chimerism test will take place around January 4th, it takes two days to get the results, so Michael might be coming home the week of the 7th! We can do this, just give us a goal and we will make it our target!
Joe and Heather's Christmas gift to Michael. A picture of Michael and Joe by Chicago's famous "Kidney Bean". This picture will have a special place in our home. (BTW - he looks great, right?)
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy." Martin Luther King, Jr.
25 Days Post Transplant. Its been a good weekend after all, shared with family and friends via technology which created a semblance of togetherness. You are not alone, and neither are we.
God's blessings, Lilly :)
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