Day 41

We haven't updated the blog lately, so we thought we would let everyone know how Jack is progressing. He is doing great- better than the doctors expected! He only needs to go up to Mayo twice a week. He is feeling great too, he is starting to run in the mornings before it gets too hot or riding the stationary bike at our house to get back into shape. He's even got a soccer team lined up to play with in a couple of months once Dr. Sproat gives him the go ahead!
This isn't a long post, but we wanted to let everyone know that things were going well! Thanks again for keeping Jack in your thoughts :)

Day 30

Today marks 30 days since Jack's stem cell transplant. We originally thought that he would need to come back to Mayo for daily visits, but so far it has been every other day! Next week the doctors hope to change it to once every three days.

This means that Jack is doing well. His blood numbers have been slow to come back, but that is typical. He feels great- he has his appetite back, and we are going on daily walks around the neighborhood (after dark of course- it's supposed to get up to 112 degrees here this week!) Jack even got clearance to eat at restaurants as long as he is careful about what he orders. He cannot have fresh produce unless it is thoroughly washed, and he must avoid food that has been sitting out or may be undercooked.

We have become pros at staying on top of Jack's medications! The doctors have added a couple more since he was released from the hospital, but we have learned to recognize them all by sight. We have a handy system down using a dry erase board that sticks on the fridge. We abandoned the spreadsheet idea because the doctors change medications and dosages every now and then, and it was getting to be a chore to re-print it after changes were made or open his laptop each time he needed his meds. With the dry erase board, we can make the required changes and have the schedule handy throughout the day. Most days, Jack takes 13 pills in the morning, 3 in the afternoon, and 8 at night. Lots of pills, I know, but he will take fewer and fewer as the summer continues.

There isn't too much more to report. We have been trying to lay low to keep Jack healthy and well. We will continue to update the blog as we learn anything else, or as his recovery progresses.

Thank you!

Day 21- Jack is Home!

Jack with all of his medicines

It's been 3 weeks since Jack's transplant, and his blood counts have been continuously improving so the doctors let him leave today! He has officially en-grafted and his doctors say that things are going well so far. He is feeling well- a bit nauseous and tired, but those are common side effects of many of the pills they sent him home with- 12 bottles in all! We are still working on a system to keep them all straight- he needs to take most pills twice a day, certain ones 2 days a week, some are two pills once a day, others as needed...you see where I'm going with this :) The doctors suggested spreadsheets and since Jack is so good with excel, that's what we will try first.

Saying bye to Mayo

Jack will begin his daily trips back to Mayo tomorrow. They will be checking his blood numbers to make sure he doesn't need any nutrients or blood products, and they will be making sure that everything is going according to plan. Since he can't drive quite yet (due to medications) he will always have a "buddy" take him back up to the hospital. As the summer goes on Jack will begin having fewer restrictions on his diet, driving, and ability to go out in public. For the next few weeks though, he plans to take it easy.

Thank you all for your support through the past 4 months! Jack has had so many prayers, positive thoughts, helpers, cards and games sent his way and we certainly appreciate it. Thank you!

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have white cells!

It may be a bit early to make that announcement, but this morning Jack's white blood cell count went from <.1 to .1! I know it doesn't sound like much progress, but this is exactly what needs to start happening for Jack to be able to heal from his digestive issues, mouth sores, & fever. It's also what needs to happen so he can go home. Our nurses said that even the slightest jump can make a world of difference, and Jack was saying that his mouth felt a bit better this morning- even before he knew his white cells had come up a bit.

His fever has been much lower- hanging between 98.9 and 100.6. The antibiotics that he is on seem to be keeping it under control. He has been using his treadmill and walking laps around his pod to stay active, and staying out of bed as much as he can. Even though it has gotten much easier for him to swallow liquids, he is still too sore to eat. As long as his white cells keep growing that shouldn't be a problem for much longer.

Jack's chemo schedule for this hospital stay- he's finished!

Jack also finished his last round of chemo! He had been receiving a type of chemotherapy as an immunosuppresant to help the graft come in slowly and to prevent graft vs. host disease (GVHD). He got his last dose yesterday and even though one of his nurses wrote in his chart that he was handling the Methotrexate "like a rockstar", he is excited that he doesn't have to do that anymore.

For now, that is all the news we have to report. Hopefully his counts will keep coming up and our next update will have an estimate for when Jack will get to come home!

Day +8

It's Day +8, and up until today, Jack was keeping things pretty boring around here. He had been experiencing stomach issues and fatigue, but all in all it was pretty uneventful. Today however, Jack spiked his first fever of 101.2. The doctors and nurses have been expecting this- they say it happens to almost ALL transplant patients. Jack is feeling pretty rotten today. He's exhausted, and in addition to the fever and stomach issues, he has developed some swelling in his mouth that is making it difficult and painful for him to eat. This is also a side effect from the chemo that is pretty normal, so the nurses and doctors are prepared for it. They've given him pain medicine as well as Tylenol for the fever. Hopefully that makes him feel a bit better. They said that this is likely how he will feel for the next 1-2 weeks, or until his new cells en-graft.

At this point it's a waiting game. The fever isn't necessarily from infection, it could just be his body reacting to what it's going through. Ideally, there is no infection and the fever goes away on it's own, but just in case, they have him on antibiotics. The most important thing at this point is that Jack stays active and keep his positivity. He has a great big group of people wishing him well, praying and sending positive thoughts his way- we are all grateful for that! We'll keep the blog updated as things progress.