“Whoa, we’re half way there
Whoa oh, livin’ on a prayer” – Bon Jovi

Never did my 19 year old self screaming these lyrics at Auburn football games and band parties think these words would mean to me what they do now.

HALF WAY THERE FOLKS

Some updates since my last post:

• Overall I am stable. I am being seen 2x a week in clinic, plus 2 days of physical therapy.
• My counts are hovering below normal. The rollercoaster of emotion that I feel going in to each clinic appointment has been difficult to manage. If my counts are up, I’m feeling cheerful and excited. If my counts are down I feel disappointed and discouraged. It’s mental gymnastics to get to a place where I can open my results and not have it impact my entire day or mood. The doctors are not concerned about my counts at this point: “This is a 100 day process” “This is normal” “some people take months before their counts are normal again”
• The rash biopsied was just a little graft vs host disease (GVHD). It’s expected and manageable.
• My engraftment studies: On day 30, 60 and 90 I get three engraftment tests performed. THE GOAL OF ALL THREE OF THESE TESTS IS TO BE 100% DONOR. 1 bone marrow biopsy and 2 chimerism blood studies (blood tests). At day 30 my bone marrow biopsy came back 98% donor GREAT NEWS, One of my chimerism blood studies came back 100% donor GREAT NEWS. The third, my t-cells/lymphocytes first came back at 22% and after a retest 40%. Still not great but better. The doctors expect this number to rise as they decrease my immunosuppression medication. We will have a better idea once I’m tested again at day 60.

I’ve been able to visit with my family and kids on the weekends. Most of our visits have been outside but last weekend I decided that as long as everyone at home was healthy that I would come home for a couple days. We got to spend a lovely rainy weekend together.

My mom’s FMLA runs out at the beginning of November, so the goal is for me to be back in my home full time by Halloween. I will still be under some pretty strict quarantine rules-no parties, large gatherings etc until day 100 (November 21) but at least I will be home. We’re planning a day 100 party in November so if you’re local, you’re invited! (even if you’re not, you’re still invited)

Thank you for those who are continuing to check in and pray over our family. Also Thank you to everyone who helped Jacob towards his FUN RUN goal! He was the top earner for his grade! Way to go buddy!!

Thank you for being a part of my healing journey,

Danielle