Day +13

The transplant ward is abuzz with rumours that engraftment may be near for Scott.

For the last three days his neut count has been holding at 0.4, which is an early indication of engraftment as it signals that the marrow has started to produce the ‘good stuff’. But as I write this, Kristine in her daily check in with Scott, reminds us that as quickly as they popped up, they can be gone again. They’re a finicky thing those neuts. So..OK… we’re cautiously optimistic.

Two things happen when Scott engrafts (actually like a million things happen but these are the two we are waiting for specifically): his body will start to heal (so long mucositis, you horrible nasty thing), and we also start the lookout for signs of GVHD.

Days +12 and +13 have been an improvement for Scott, with even the slight increase in neut count allowing his body to start the process of repair. He has been able to slowly decrease his dosage of pain meds which means being more alert. He’s able to speak with a bit more ease, which brings with it his always welcome sense of humour. Things are looking up.

Also, having a level of 0.5 neuts is the threshold that he needs to pass to be released from isolation. Selfishly, this means no more masking up for visits which will be soo wonderful.