Graduation Day

Congratulations!!!! Tim graduated from the stem cell transplant program today! He does not have to go back and forth to the hospital every day any more! He will have monthly visits with the transplant doctor and continue to be monitored by his regular oncologist. We hope to find out how well the stem cell transplant worked in about a month.

His white counts were much lower today, but that is expected, since he is no longer receiving a medication that helps boost the white blood cells. He is producing them on his own, so they are lower (about 2600 today), but over time they should continue to go up. He has had a couple of pretty rough days the last two days, so they gave him more fluids today to help rehydrate him. He is finding that little tasks rob him of any energy that he may have built up. It will just take time and patience to regain strength. We appreciate your prayers as he continues to recover. We are grateful for and overwhelmed by all of the cards, e-mails and phone calls we have received. We can't thank you enough and "...thank my God upon every remembrance of you." (Philippians 1:3)

A note about those who have cared for Tim over the last few weeks- it's hard to express how much we appreciate all of his nurses and caregivers at the Yale Smilow Cancer Hospital. Everyone was very professional, but also very kind and loving. They made sure that he was comfortable and well cared for every step of the way. Thank you to Dr. Cooper, Erin, Mary Ellen, Colleen, Lee, Wade, Barbara, and all the 7th floor staff of Dr. Cooper's office!

One other prayer request...Mark is now running a fever. He must have the virus that McKayla had last week. I will keep an eye on him and he will have to stay away from Tim until the fever is gone. McKayla's fever lasted 2 and 1/2 days, so I am anticipating the same from Mark. We go from one crisis to another around here... :)