Preakness is today in Baltimore!

• WBC is 1180 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 1180 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 31.1 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 16 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (65); blood (32).

Well, we did get out of the bed and sat in a chair for about an hour. We also have a new bed to ease the pressure on her backside. Doctors want her caloric intake to increase, and have recommended she drink a product called Ensure, which comes in a 8 oz bottle, contains 350 calories and 13 grams of protein. If she can drink 3 of those per day they will be pleased!

Factoid: A cat called Dusty has the known record for the most kittens. She had more than 420 kittens in her lifetime..

Uneventful Day, plus some blood/platelets

• WBC is 1040 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 770 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 31.9 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 54 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (65); blood (32).

Not much to report here. Doctors seem to be happy. Goal today is to get out of bed and sit in the chair for a long time.

Factoid: If your dog's feet smell like corn chips, you're not alone. The term "Frito Feet" was coined to describe the scent.

Another day under our belt

• WBC is 860 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 783 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 21.5 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 38 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (64); blood (30).

Another bag of platelets yesterday, hence the big jump. Not sure why the WBC fell, but am not going to worry about it until the doctors tell us we need to.

Worked on trying to get into the wheelchair yesterday, but the oxygen tank Denise was hooked up to ran out about half way through that task, and so she immediately had to lie down and get back on oxygen connected to the wall. There was also a scheduling conflict over the bicycle and it was unavailable, but I don't think she would have been up for it anyway after running out of air!

Factoid: About 2/3 of shark attacks on humans occur in water 6 feet deep or less.

Starting our 14th week here

• WBC is 1880 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 1654 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 26.9 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 5 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (63); blood (30).

No bike riding yesterday (bike wasn't available), but she was able to sit up on the side of the bed briefly 3 separate times. She also had a CT scan with contrast, which meant she had to drink a couple of glasses of water with iodine.

Other that that, it was a quiet and uneventful day.

Factoid: Andrew Jackson is the only US President to be elected to the Senate after leaving office.

A quiet day

• WBC is 1300 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 850 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 26.5 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 43 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (63); blood (30).

Duration on the bike increased to 35 minutes yesterday, and she is expected to get back on it today. Trying to sit up took a lot of air out of her and she was not able to sit on the edge of the bed at all. So, she did not get a chance to try to stand on her feet.

Overnight, she complained of breathing problems, so they bumped her oxygen up to 50%.It seems to me she is still having some difficulty breathing this morning, but it could just be a function of breathing through her mouth instead of her nose and the cannula.

Factoid: For 67 consecutive years, Mary was the most popular female baby name in the United States. Linda claimed the top spot in 1947

Day 90 in Baltimore, and still here

• WBC is 1700 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 1598 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 31 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 11 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (62); blood (30).

Well, it looks like her immune system is coming back and will hopefully attack the CMV in her lungs. One thing we have learned through all of this is to try not to read too much into the counts as they do go up and down. Nevertheless, I am happy to see them trending up.

Yesterday was a quiet and uneventful Mothers Day, and Denise sat on the edge of the bed again. Sarah brought a Key Lime pie which we shared with the nurse's that had to work yesterday/

I suspect when Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy get here today they will try standing for very brief amount of time.

Factoid: The Constitution's fancy calligraphy was the work of Jacob Shallus. He was paid $30 for his troubles.

Here are the counts

• WBC is 1290 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 1264 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 29.2 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 35 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (62); blood (30).

Doctors came around and they are still pleased

Happy Mothers Day

Sorry I am late this AM. Overslept watching the Capitals lose to the Rangers. Don't have the counts yet, but all is well as far as I can tell. The Queen is sleeping.

The doctors told me they are not worried about her counts that I had concern about yesterday. They seem to be quite happy where she is. She also was able to sit on the side of the bed for about 10 minutes yesterday.

Will update the blog later today.