It's Day 4. The transplant team has taught us to label each day by number. The days before the transplant were -5, -4, -3, etc. It was much like a rocket launch. Just without the rocket. Or the launch. Or the national news coverage. Transplant day was Day 0, and now we begin the slow march to Day 100.
Most days will just hold quiet struggles and small victories, but some days are important landmarks. The transplanted marrow is expected to engraft by Day 7 or 8. At that point, Michael's blood counts are supposed to start rising, and they'll begin watching for any signs of graft vs. host disease or other complications. Day 30 will quite possibly be the most important of this journey so far; Michael will have another bone marrow biopsy to determine his remission status after transplant. Pending good results, he will continue in basic isolation until Day 100 when a reevaluation will decide what "normal" activities he may be able to resume.
We are not sure at what point, Michael will be able to return home. He seems to be responding well recovering from the side effects of chemo and radiation. He is maintaining reasonable strength. He has had one fever, but it was quickly eliminated with antibiotics. With the mucositis pain, though, he is not eating or drinking. All of these things and the coming results of engraftment factor into the decision to allow him to go home.
Michael is still suffering from mucositis, the ulcerated sores in the mouth and throat, but his pain medications are helping. He has been sleeping quite a bit with periodic interruptions for taking medications or a session for physical therapy. The staff makes every effort keep his stay pleasant. His nurse today dressed up for Halloween as a Cardinal baseball player in Michael's honor.
Four days down, ninety-six to go!