2+2

• WBC is 2030 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 1730. (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 32.9 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 6 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (32); blood (22).

Received 2 bags of platelets and 2 bags of blood overnight. The platelet count was measured before the platelet transfusion. WBC and neutrophil still climbing nicely.

Factoid: Thomas Jefferson on lotteries: "Far from being immoral, they are indispensable to the existence of Man."

Confirmed!

Just finished with the doctors, and we now know the results of the T-cell chimerism test I mentioned earlier this morning show no trace of the patient's DNA. In other words, the donor's marrow is creating all of her blood cells. This is great news, and one more hurdle completed.

She also sat in the chair for an 1 1/2 hours this morning, has gotten out of bed a second time, has her oxygen cut back to normal, and is working with physical therapy currently.

I would say she is having an excellent day, wouldn't you?

Baseball Factoid

• WBC is 1860 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 1640. (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 24.8 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 11 (150-350)
• Temperature is 37 / 98.6
• Heart rate is 90
• BP 129/55
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (30); blood (20).

Now, she got out of bed for a third time yesterday and sat in the chair for another hour. The counts are still coming up (the important ones). AND still on 40% oxygen with no problems. In all likelihood she will move down to 30% today and if that isn't an issue, be off the oxygen altogether tomorrow.

One other test we are waiting on results is a T-cell chimerism. This test measures the percentage of donor cells compared to Denise's cells. Should get those results late today or tomorrow. I wIll update later as events develop.

Factoid: The first TV commercial ran on July 1, 1941. The Bulova Watch Company paid $9 to air an ad before a Dodgers-Phillies game.

2 updates + factoid

Just a quick afternoon update. Denise sat in the chair for an hour........TWICE. She has also been on 40% oxygen all day with no adverse affects. Tomorrow we shoot for 30%, and perhaps on Saturday off the O2 altogether.

Factoid: This one blew my mind. The sun contains 99.85% of the mass in the solar system.

Still climbing

• WBC is 1740 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 1460. (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 25.7 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 21 (150-350)
• Temperature is 37 / 98.6
• Heart rate is 98
• BP 111/52
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (30); blood (20).

WBC and Neutrophil counts moving on up! In and out of the bed on 5 separate occasions yesterday, and oxygen was cut back to 50% early yesterday, and tolerated it nicely. Today will probably try weaning down to 40%, which is a benchmark number as breathing normally at that rate will probably get her off the Hi Flow cannula and something more portable, like a portable oxygen tank.

Factoid: Peladophobia is a fear of bald people! Like Denise!!!

A great start-look at these numbers

• WBC is 1540 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 1350. (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 27.6 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 18 (150-350)
• Temperature is 36.5 / 97.7
• Heart rate is 92
• BP 131/59
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (29); blood (20).

As you know, rehab came yesterday and she did sit in the chair. Not once, not twice, but three times. She was quite proud of herself and happy. She just said "I swear to god I am going to walk today", so you can tell she is anxious to get out of here. May have to do a short stint in rehab in another part of the hospital, but that will sort itself out soon. Not definite, but it is a possibility

Video Factoid: Click here to view this unbelievable YouTube video with 7 iPads and 2 magicians

Factoid Only Edition

Milton Berle, Dudley Moore and Billy Wilder all died on this day 10 years ago.

In the chair for 1/2 hour!

Physical Therapy came by after the doctors rounds, and Denise was able to get out of bed and sit in the chair for a 1/2 hour. Was also able to take her pills she needed to take sitting in the chair as well.

It was a welcome change for her, and her vitals remained steady, including oxygen saturation, heart and blood pressure. We are going to try again later this afternoon.

Gadget Adoption

When we think about the great consumer electronics technologies of our time, the cellular phone probably springs to mind. If we go farther back, perhaps we'd pick the color television or the digital camera. But none of those products were adopted as fast by the American people as the boom box.

It's worth noting that all five of the fastest-adopted technologies were for the consumption of entertainment not communication or production of media.

A well deserved restful night

• WBC is 1130 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 930. (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 26.9 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 7 (150-350)
• Temperature is 36.5 / 97.7
• Heart rate is 89
• BP 126/62
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (28); blood (20).

Finally, she spent the majority of the night sleeping. This was probably the first time in the 42 days we have been here, and she feels pretty good. In addition, her oxygen level has been cut back to 70% and all vitals are holding up well. I would imagine today will be more of the same as yesterday: stay in bed, pull off more fluid and reduce oxygen level. Perhaps we can get through these breathing issues in the next 2-3 days, but some long rehab will await ahead.

Factoid: What was the fastest-adopted gadget of the last 50 years? You will be surprised, and I will post the answer later, since there probably wont be much else to report today.

Maintaining status

• WBC is 800 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 560. (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 25.9 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 10 (150-350)
• Temperature is 37.0 / 98.6
• Heart rate is 88
• BP 124/63
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (28); blood (20).

Yet another bag of platelets last night, and I am sure more when they can find them. She slept well until about 2AM and has been awake since. She is still breathing 100% oxygen, so it will be interesting to see what the docs have to say today.

Getting back to normal - Day 40

She was able to get a lot of sleep yesterday and overnight. All vital signs are great. Don't have the blood counts, but here is what I can tell you:

• Temperature is 37/98.6
• Heart rate is 101
• BP 133/57
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (26); blood (21).

Yes, she was able to stuff 2 bags of platelets and 1 bag of blood into her veins last night. Of course, that is more fluid in her system now, so they will be trying to draw more fluid out today. It will be quiet with no activities and hopefully more rest