Engraftment!

White Blood Count - 1390 cells/microliter
Absolute Neutrophil Count - 330 cells/microliter
Segmented neutrophils - 15.3%
Band Neutrophils - 8.5%
Lymphocytes - 22%
Monocytes - 49.2%
Eosinophils - 3.4%
Basophils - 0.8%
Metaphils - 0%
Myeloblast - 0%

Dr. Krance, Cael's primary transplant doctor, just stopped by to let us know that the test they did last week, when he had about 1000 while blood cells/microliter, and 120 neutrophil cells/microliter, showed that he had about 85% donor white cells and his neutrophils were about 75% donor cells. Apparently that is good news. I don't really know how he could only have 85% donor cells. I thought the chemo was supposed to entirely wipe out his existing immune system. I guess some of his existing immune system wasn't wiped out, but seems to be existing with the new cells just fine. They will continue to do the same test several times as he comes back into clinic. However, Dr. Krance says that Cael is definitely engrafted!

We don't know about the T cell count, or their function just yet, and I'm not sure if we will find that out before we leave the hospital or not. The doctor was very brief in his visit. We will probably get more information tomorrow from the team of doctors we see every day.

Last night was pretty tough. Cael woke up at least 4 times just crying. I would stand up by his bed and put my hand on him and he was fine, but as soon as I sat down, less than 4 feet away, he would start crying again. And this evening, when the nurse came in, he took one look at her and started crying and squirming. I know this is the time for separation anxiety, but really? 4 feet away?? Geesh...he won't know what to do when he isn't the center of attention any more!

During the day he is just fine for the most part. He has a few instances where he is a little fussy, but for the most part he is very happy and playful. I have noticed that he is having some fatigue as well. Before the transplant, if we held him, he would be very alert and head up, but now after a little bit of being held, he puts his head on my shoulder as though he is tired, even if he just woke up from a nap. That seems to be a typical thing to happen. I've been trying to find some information about what to expect in the time after transplant, as far as when it is safe to take him in public, when he will be able to be around other children, and when we can stop being super worried about everything. It is surprisingly hard to find any information! Like I said yesterday, the doctors haven't told us much yet. I asked today, and they said we will talk about it when he is closer to being discharged.

I'm hoping for a better night tonight. I don't know how many more nights I can handle getting up every few hours with a crying baby!