We are learning more about blood counts as we wait for Jim’s to rise. We were taught about “anc” or absolute neutrophil count. There is a formula having to do with “segs” and “bands” and the white blood cell count that determines the “anc”. Jim was told his anc level needed to be at 500 in order to be discharged. On Saturday it was 36. On Sunday, it was 66. On Monday, it rose to 238. I thought maybe by Wednesday, he would be able to come home. To our surprise, Jim’s doctor decided to discharge him on Monday with an anc level of only 238. His IV’s had already been removed, and the doctor said he could either sit around at the hospital and wait for his numbers to go up or sit at home and wait for his numbers to go up. So discharge it was!I can’t even explain how wonderful it is to have Jim home. Our whole family felt a sense of being settled and a feeling of having things right again. Each of the boys told me on different occasions how nice it was to have their Dad home and how much they missed him when he was in the hospital. It was 4 weeks to the day. That’s a long hospital stay.
Jim will be seen by a home health care nurse. On Thursday, he will have his blood drawn to check his levels again. Once his levels are back to normal (not sure how long that will take), another bone marrow biopsy will be performed. They will check to see if there are any leukemic cells found while he has a normal cell count. If none are found, he will be declared in early remission.
Thank you for your concern for Jim and our family. Please continue to pray that Jim would go into early remission and be completely healed of this disease. We would also appreciate your prayers for our son, Kyle. This has been a difficult situation for him and we have having to deal with some unwanted behaviors. Pray for Jim and I and those around Kyle who work with him to have wisdom to know how to best help him and give him the proper support he needs during this time.
Oh, one more thing. Just gotta say it again. We are so happy to have Jim home!
2 comments:
Welcome Home Jim! You look GREAT! Never thought bald would be a good look for you, but you certainly can do it! So glad your platelets are in normal range!!!!
Jim! You've never looked better! Love to see you grinning in that big comfy chair AT HOME!
:) Tim and Erin
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