Sun, 16 Nov 2003

Latest Info

Hey guys. It's Sunday afternoon and as ususal I'm late getting the results of Friday's BMT appt out to you. Crazy life but it's good.

Jade had the usual blood work done on Fri the 14th and it looks quite encouraging. His hermatocrit is up to 40% (with normal being 50 -60 range) and his hemaglobin is finally within normal range. This is great and means hopefully he'll continue to get strength and energy back. His magnesium level is still below normal so we'll continue to do magnesium infusions every night. They informed Jade his body is so used to taking out the magnesium (due to the high levels of immune suppression drugs- cyclosporine) that it will contniue to do this even after he's off all immune suppression drugs. It's like his body has created a new norm that will take some time to switch back to a true level of normal.

They did a skin biopsy in order to determine the level of graft vs host Jade has. They take an instrument (looks like a pencil) with razors on the end and literally bore a hole into his skin (about 3/8" to 1/2" in depth) on his forearm and cut it out. He has a hole in his arm bigger in diameter than a cigarette but smaller than a cigar. They sent it off to be tested and we should know results next week. They did warn us that sometimes it comes back inconclusive so they will continue to do this procedure in the coming months.

Jade is feeling pretty good, all things considered. Energy still comes and goes depending on the day and activities during the day. We are so grateful he's at home though and not in the hospital. I keep saying a bad day at home is better than a good day at the hospital. He is slowly tapering off the cyclosporine and will be off completely by Dec 5th.

Jade will have a normal BMT appt this coming Fri the 21st and then on Fri the 28th (the Friday after Thanksgiving) will have what's called a disease assessment. On the 28th Jade will be at Day 84 and they will do another chymerism check (Jared vs Jade percentage) along with other blood tests and a CT scan.

Thanks for all your emails, calls and prayers. We have started to reflect upon all that's happened during this year and believe what's transpired to be nothing short of a miracle - regardless of the future outcome. We are in awe of the blessings we have received and the love we have been given from all of you. Thank you for your kindness. Take care and we'll keep you posted..............

Love...............Tanya and co.