Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
is a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. In AML, the bone marrow makes many unformed cells called blasts. Blasts normally develop into white blood cells that fight infection. However, the blasts are abnormal in AML. They do not develop and cannot fight infections. The bone marrow may also make abnormal red blood cells and platelets. The number of abnormal cells (or leukemia cells) grows quickly. They crowd out the normal red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets the body needs.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Day 127 -- (Day +19)

Tuesday.  Riley is free!!  He has been attached to the IV pole for 30 days!  It wasn't any ordinary IV pole either with regular saline fluids...  I'm talking a serious hefty pole.  Trust me, I toted that thing around during our walks every day!  He was speaking with the nutritionist this morning as Gina tinkered with his lines and a bit later he got up to use the bathroom and exclaimed... "Mom, I'm not attached!!" :)  Really exciting.  Later Gina said, "I knew he didn't notice... I thought it would a great surprise!". 

This afternoon, Vince and I were able to attend a lunch at the Arizona Inn (beautiful!) by the wonderful organzation, "Jazmyn's Lunch Break".  They are wondeful people who have been through their own medical ordeal and are giving back to families with seriously ill children.  We were their guests today.  We have known Jazmyn and her mom Lisa since Riley was diagnosed in December.  Very caring and wonderful people who know what it is like to be in the hospital for so long.  Jazmyn went to 6 different hospitals (including UMC) during her year of treatment.  She is encouraging to Riley and fun to be around.  So thankful for people like this!!

Labs today:
White blood cells:  4.5  (normal 4.5 - 13.5)
Red Blood cells:  12.6  (normal 13.5 - 17.5)
Platelets:  58  (normal 150 - 425)
ANC:  3645  ( < 500 = severely neutropenic) (normal 2,000 - 5,000)
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