November 21

White Blood Count - 2200 cells/microliter
Absolute Neutrophil Count - 430 cells/microliter
Segmented neutrophils - 17.1%
Band Neutrophils - 2.6%
Lymphocytes - 24.8%
Monocytes - 53.8%
Eosinophils - 0.8%
Basophils - 0.9%
Metaphils - 0%
Myeloblast - 0%

So Cael's neutrophil count isn't going up quite as quickly as I had expected, but that's ok. His level is still going up, and that is what matters. I think tomorrow he will definitely be over 500. 

I was a bit mistaken yesterday when I said he was definitely engrafted. Apparently he was definitely engraftING. They still need the ANC to be over 500 for 3 days in a row to consider him engrafted. Apparently that is enough for most patients to even go home. With Cael, though, they want his count to be over 2500 before sending him out of the hospital. I guess that could always change, but that is what we are working with at this point. I know that is because he has the paraflu still and they want to be very sure that he will be okay once he leaves here, and not need him to be readmitted to the hospital for that.

Last night was pretty bad again. He even was freaking out a bit when the night nurse first came in. He wanted nothing to do with her. And he woke up twice last night, which is less than the previous night, but he was awake from 12:00 AM - 12:45 AM and 3:30 AM - 5:00 AM. Again, he was fine as long as I was right next to him, touching him. As soon as I moved away he would cry. I don't think I am going to get used to that, but I know to expect it at this point. He also woke up at 7:00 AM and skipped his morning nap. Adam is the champ at sleeping through things, so I was up with him both times. We both got up at 7:00 though, as we do every morning. At least we won't be used to sleeping in too much when it is time to return to real life. However, I don't know what I am going to do when I can't take an hour nap in the afternoon!

Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow to my US readers. We will have some company tomorrow, which will be nice. Adam's aunt and uncle will be visiting in the morning, and my boss is stopping by in the evening. It is so nice to get visitors! Plus they are both bringing us some yummy food, so that makes it even better. We are going to be eating so good tomorrow! I can't wait to see them!