Day "6"

It has been an long day for Jeff, but he is still doing very well. After drawing blood this morning, the doctors decided he needed to have two red blood cell and two platelet transfusions. They have a certain level that they don't like patients to fall below. If Jeff didn't have a central line (as pictured), transfusions would be a much bigger deal! So, he received blood products all day and then his third dose of methotrexate tonight...right through his central line! In a diluted dose, methotrexate is not considered a type of chemotherapy. I guess that the concentrated version...the type Jeff receives...is considered chemo. Right now, he has a white blood cell count of 0.03, which is why he has such a great risk of infection. The chemo and immunosuppresive drugs target white blood cells, so right now a low blood count is a very good thing! Once his new bone marrow begins producing cells (which won't happen for another week or so) we will see all his blood levels rise! Jeff is constantly tired and usually nauseated, but those are his only beefs right now!

Joel is still in quite a bit of pain! I saw some pictures of his lower back, and he really does look like he has been beat! :) Feel free so show him as much sympathy as possible...sometimes he feels like his pain and suffering are being overlooked! :) On a more serious note, we are so grateful for Joel! I know that there are many who match but are unwilling to donate! Bone Marrow is not an easy thing to harvest. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Had I have known how many people would be reading this blog, I promise I would have taken some writing and grammar courses to brush up on my skills! :) Please ignore my grammatical errors!