ANC 437 - the wait continues...Day 25

As I was dropped off outside this building this morning it was with near certainty that this Friday would bring the news I was waiting for...the magical ANC and Platelet count. Alas another day of blood work, another day of stagnating around the same range of numbers.

There's really nothing I can do at this point, except WAIT, REST, and have confidence that my body is going to get there, when its ready...

There was an exhaustive work up today to make sure there aren't signs of rejection or any other reason to believe that I'm not headed towards Engraftment...Everything is looking okay overall, and I'm actually not off schedule from how long this process took the last time around. I started in a pretty weak place overall, so I've been told its taking more work for everything to find its proper home in this new immune system of mine.

Not the way I hoped to end the week - but also reminded that this is just all part of the process - and I'm getting stronger in lots of ways each and every day. 25 days in, and it is a world of difference from where I was 3.5 weeks ago.

I got another transfusion of platelets today, more drugs to boost white blood cell production...Next Tuesday is another chance to check-in and see how things are going.

6 years ago today, on December 17th 2015, my amazing Aunt Carol (My Dad's sister) passed away from Multiple Myeloma. She was full of love and life, and a truly remarkable aunt. It is hard to believe we've lived 6 years without her. I found this photo today, of my Aunt Carol making me soup in my parents kitchen during my last bone marrow transplant, and another of her and my Uncle Tom in Eagle River, WI on a trip we all took there the summer before she passed away. Cancer has touched my family in too many heart-breaking ways, its taken some of the very best most important people to me way too early. It's an important reminder how lucky I am to be on the road to recovery - and how fortunate I am to still have so much life left to live. Sending and extra dose of love today to my cousin Lauren, my Uncle Tom, and my Dad - and all of those who loved Carol so very much.

What I'm grateful for today:

• My family (those with me and those no longer here, but forever in my heart)

• MASKS - thankfully they make me feel a little safer while in the hospital during this terrifying COVID surge. Where your mask, wherever you are and PLEASE STAY SAFE

• Another weekend in my safe Friess Lake bubble where my only job is to get better