Day 109 -- (Day +1)

Friday.  Preston had his central line taken out today.  He was very calm.  He asked the doctor if he could keep the line. What a keepsake!  It was a very simple procedure, but he had to be under for it.  After his recovery, we went to the cafeteria for breakfast.  Vince, Preston and I enjoyed some time together and then we went to Riley's room and hung out for a bit.  After a while, Vince took Preston home to rest and recover from the day and week.  They stopped by Dairy Queen for a blizzard on the way home.  Mmmm, Preston has good taste!

Riley started growing in some hair during his recovery stage at home. I am so amazed at how well he bounces back.  Unfortunately, the effects of the conditioning chemo that he just had will wipe it out again.  Those effects are expected any day and will continue until he develops his new cells, (new cells should engraft and start to develop in 2 to 3 weeks).  Chemo kills rapidly dividing cells, good and bad.  That is why your hair goes, but also affected is the mouth, throat and whole GI track. 

Riley has been very nauseous and sick for the past week.  His nutritional numbers are coming back low as is expected at this stage.  He also is starting the mouth and throat sores which make it really hard to swallow.  Dr. Katsanis started Riley on TPN (total parenteral nutrition) today.  The big white bag on his IV pole is the IV nutrition.  It runs for 24 hours.  The nutritional numbers from his labs for that day are analyzed and a new bag is made specifically for him and his needs for that day.  Very cool.  Riley's IV pole is growing.  They have warned us that it will continue to grow as more meds are needed.  This is just the beginning .  Riley is hanging in. 

Angie and her family are headed back home today.  It has been wonderful to have them with us.  Not only has it been great to have cousins to play with, but Angie has been a great help to us while I'm in  the hospital with Riley.  Bryant and Gavin have had so much fun together.  Cute kids!!

Labs today:

White blood cells:  1.6  (normal 4.5 - 13.5)

Red Blood cells:  8  (normal 13.5 - 17.5)

Platelets: 114  (normal 150 - 425)

ANC:  1376  ( < 500 = severely neutropenic) (normal 2,000 - 5,000)