Yesterday my wbcs were up to 5.6, but it was a very low-energy day, so that's why I didn't post. I've got a little more zip today, plus my wbcs are up to 8.4. Since I didn't get a wbc-inducing shot yesterday, that's pretty great. As I understand it, they wanted to see how my system would do without the artificial stimulus of the shot, and so far so good. During today's doctor visitation, Dr. Shpall pronounced my engraftment to be "early and fast." She said she would normally expect an unrelated-donor transplant to remain hospitalized for longer, but that if things remain okay with my readings, they'll discharge me on Thursday.
I've been asked what the next step is after they discharge me. For a week or so, I'll have to come back to MDACC every day (including weekends) to be blood tested and monitored. The blood tests will determine what, if anything, I need to be infused with. They say one of the most common things I'll need is magnesium. Other possibilities include platelets and red blood cells. I'm sure there are other things, but I'll learn about that as we go along. After that first week or two, they'll start giving me weekends off. After a week or two of that, it goes to MWF. After that, if I'm doing well, we get to go home some time in late April! During this outpatient period, my wife, being my caregiver, has the task of being with me 24/7. I figured that surely she would be able to run a quick errand to the grocery or drug store, but MDACC says no. They mean 24/7, except for my time spent at MDACC. They've suggested that that's a really good time for her to get errands run. She can drop me off, and when I'm done, I'll call her to come pick me up. I also hope she'll use it for some much-deserved time off from having to focus so much on her sick (but getting better!) husband. Love you, dear.