A Bean’s Life

DAY 16

I’m very excited and relieved to announce that today we have achieved engraftment! This means that Gavin’s stem cell transfusion worked and that the stem cells have now integrated with his system, and his bone marrow is producing new cells on his own. His poly count is still low, at .5, but we are now no longer completely isolated and are free to leave the fishbowl and venture out to the family lounge, where we are currently playing with Bubby.

Of course, we still need to exercise fairly rigid hygiene practices, and Gavin has to wear a mask when he leaves the room. (Which he hates because it rides up into his eyes) We were pretty lucky, actually, because this is only Day +11, and we were told this process could take up to three weeks. We are all breathing a big sigh of relief that we made it through the first round with few complications, apart from some vomiting and a few transfusions. Trust me, that’s nothing around here.

The trouble is that we start chemo again next week, so the protocol is relentless and we don’t have very much time off. We may even be able to leave for one or two days this week and maybe take Gavin home. I think now that it will be worth it to go home even for a short time, as two days is an age in toddler-time.

This week will be jam-packed with the usual tests and appointments, and I am very anxious about the hearing test. It will be very difficult to learn that he has lost some of his hearing, but I’m choosing not to focus on that right now.

Today is a happy day and Bean is in a great mood, so we’re going to enjoy ourselves as much as possible. Many, many thanks for all the mail that has come our way!

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