Monday, April 23, 2007

Update # 107

Day Plus 132

Good Evening,

Progress is being made -- last week was the first week since July 2006 that we did not need to go to St. Louis!!!

It was a good week for us all.  Jeff had a little more energy and actually left the house to do a couple of things around town.  I worked all five days at school and Ken got a few projects done.  One of Jeff's items accomplished was a hair cut.  That's his first since last August 2nd when he had Dave at CG shave his head.  Jeff has enjoyed not having to deal with his hair so he's decided to keep it really short.

More progress continues with today's appointments.  Jeff's red count went up on its own!!!  It has been three weeks since Jeff received that one unit of blood before the Iowa trip.  That will be the only blood then for April.  (In March, he only got 2 units.)  The antibody level won't be known for a couple of days but it should probably be down which means his body is not fighting the donor's blood and should be "flipping".

That Prednisone did give Jeff more energy and did increase his appetite.  It was a low dose but Dr. DiPersio still wants it even lower so the dosage was cut in half.

The anti-rejection level went very low so that med is now doubled again.  This one is really jumping around lately.  It could be a little of GVHD.

Jeff continues to have problems with walking so a new medicine will begin tomorrow.  Hopefully, this will help.

Dr. DiPersio did stop one of Jeff's meds completely.  He feels Jeff is doing well and said it does "probably" look like Jeff can return to Iowa in June.  So it seems Jeff might get a definite answer next month. 

Jeff's next appointment is May 4th with the nurse practitioner.  I'll email again that day.

All this progress could not have been accomplished without your powerful prayers.  God keeps the daily miracles happening.  We are most thankful that you continue to help Jeff.  Please keep praying and remember how special you are all to us.  

love,

Marcia