BMT: Isolation (Day +17)

So, as it turns out, there are a couple reasons why the doctors aren’t as “excited” as we are at the rising ANC numbers.

From our perspective, we assumed going from 0 ANC to 400 ANC (today’s reading), meant that the bone marrow cells must have taken root and were growing and producing white blood cells and neutrophils.

But this isn’t quite true.  At least, it isn’t the only scenario!

First… It is possible the body’s “old” bone marrow is the one growing and producing the ANC we are seeing.  In which case, we’ll get to a number somewhere between 400 and 600, and it won’t go any higher.  We’re looking forward to ANC counts well above 1000, and maybe approaching 1500 to 2000 (on a regular basis).

Second… We assumed the new marrow must be in and growing, and that the risk of rejection had past.  But not necessarily true again. Bone marrow rejection can occur many months after it has been given. A sensitive DNA test known as the chimera test will be done at the 30 day mark to see if the transplanted bone marrow has taken root, and is in fact producing it’s own blood cells.

Just when you think you understand this process – it gets more complicated!

Clark got some time with Grandmom today, while Connor was able to spend time with Mom and Dad.  We were very lucky to be able to both be out of the hospital at the same time, and spend time with Connor.

Beth started by walking Connor through Golden Gate Park, and when Dad caught up, the three of us went to the California Academy of Science together.  The Academy of Science is just down the road from UCSF, and we can walk there in literally 10 minutes.  While the entire visit was under 2 hours, it felt like a whole day of fun.

This was my first visit, so I have to take a second to note how amazing and awesome the Cal Academy of Science is.  It is a zoo, rain forest, museum, aquarium and planetarium – all wrapped into one building!  On top of this, they have a ton of educational presentations and special events.  If you can’t learn something new every time you walk into this building, then you don’t have a pulse.

On this particular visit, we spent time downstairs in the aquarium side of the building.  They literally have multiple walls of fish, lit up with UV.  The fish look amazing.  Connor’s eyes were so wide, I was worried they might fall out of his head.

Upstairs, they have a swamp exhibit where we got a chance to see an alligator up close.  But not any alligator, an albino alligator.  Yes, it is real.  And yes, it is white.  Double wow.