August 23, 2006

Update # 52

Good Morning,

Jeff is in Hillsboro!!!  He walked into Cardinal Glennon at 2:00 on July 18th and he walked out five weeks later at 3:00 on August 22nd.  This time he was wearing a mask to protect him.  He will not need to wear the mask at home but when he goes places around other people.

Now the only places he will be going are Cardinal Glennon and Barnes.  This Friday the 25th at 1:00, Jeff has an appointment at Barnes to meet the head transplant doctor.  Just a chance to get acquainted and for Jeff to see what their transplant unit is like.

There is no official report on Jeff's biopsy from the 21st.  Dr. Gauvain says his marrow is completely empty.  Until his counts recover more, she can't determine if there is any Leukemia in there.  Jeff's white count rises then falls again but he really is doing well.  His other counts seem to be rising slowly.  So that is why Monday afternoon, Dr. Gauvain started talking about releasing Jeff from the hospital.  They did a CT Scan to make sure the lungs were free from fungus.  She said he can sit here just as well as there.

Jeff will return to CG every Monday to see Dr. Gauvain.  She wants to check his marrow each week.  Of course she told Jeff that if a fever begins, he must return to CG immediately.

Monday also had another surprise when Ron and Sue (Jeff's godparents) from Dearborn, MI showed up at our back door at 6:00 PM.  Ron doesn't begin school till after Labor Day.  We quickly drove to CG that evening since I knew Jeff was probably coming home on Tuesday.  His jaw dropped to the floor when they showed up at his hospital door.  So they got Jeff's room at home ready on Tuesday while I was at school.  Wonderful.  Ron and Sue are heading back home tomorrow.  We are enjoying their visit plus the extra runs to Ted Drewes!!!

Heartland Home Health from our local hospital comes today to start their process of seeing Jeff.  They will do a CBC today and fax it down to Dr. Gauvain.  The nurse he had in 2001 (a mother of a friend) is out on leave helping her mother.  But we know the other nurses are just as good.  

So life is good.  Jeff talked for a few minutes when he came home but was ready to rearrange the family room in the basement so he could set up his main computer.  I think Dad and Uncle Ron had fun helping him!!!  Your prayers are helping us all get through this quiet time of Jeff's illness.  We can't thank you all enough for what you do to lift us up in spirit.  God bless.

Love,

Marcia