Day 98 -- (Day -10) to transplant day

Monday.  Today Riley was readmitted to the hospital.  We first went to the clinic to get reaccessed and blood drawn for levels.  We also informed our doctor that Riley woke up with a slight sore throat. (Not good timing).  They did a swab up his nose to check for any upcoming sickness.  Depending on the results, we may have to postpone the chemo a few days.  After they got the blood count results, we headed down to surgery to be checked in to get a central line placed.  Riley handles the anesthesia very well.  He actually likes it.  He always chats it up with the anesthesiologist before any procedure.  Today was no different. :)  This new central line will give the doctors more access (to give medications) than just his port.  The central line will stay in for 3 to 6 months.

After the surgery we were brought up to Diamond 6 West.  Back to room 6117.  Our home away from home.  We got settled in and they started Riley on "Keppra".  It is a medication used to prevent seizures, since the first conditioning chemo Riley will get is known to cause seizures, (Busulfan).  Busulfan will be administered every 6 hours, (taking 2 hours to go in) for 4 days.  It is very heavy hitting and he won't get much of a break.  The cool thing about Busulfan is, after the first dose  (Tuesday 4 AM) they will draw Riley's blood at 6am, 7am, 8am and 10am.  Those blood levels will be sent to a lab in Seattle which will see how well his body metabolized the busulfan, giving them the exact dose his body needs to be effective.  They will then make the adjustment for the remainder of doses to have it equal out the exact amount Riley needs.  Science is cool. 
Riley had a wonderful attitude about heading back to the hospital today!  He is focused and just wants to get this transplant done!!  Whatever it takes, that is what he will do!  Very proud of him!

Labs today:
White blood cells: 4.2  (normal 4.5 - 13.5)
Red Blood cells: 12.5  (normal 13.5 - 17.5)
Platelets: 154 (normal 150 - 425)
ANC: 2604  ( < 500 = severely neutropenic) (normal 2,000 - 5,000)