Engraftment! (At least we are going to call it that!) Day 29

Coming in at an Absolute Neutrophil Count of 503 - I have engrafted! (Now technically, my Platelet count needs to also be above 20,000, and we aren't quite there...but close enough?) I'm just finishing up another beautiful bad of platelets, so chances are, at this exact moment I am above 20,000 - and all signs point to my body being able to make more of their own soon.

So what is this whole Engraftment thing really mean?

In a nutshell, it means that the new stem cells have found their way into my bone marrow - and have started to make brand new cells all on their own! Exciting stuff - right?

Here's a nice tutorial video, for those who really want to nerd out, and get a sense of what's just happened over the course of the last 4 weeks inside my body :)

Other news on the health front - is that even despite President Biden's declaration during today's national address was that we are NOT in March of 2020 when it comes to the pandemic - the Doctors here at Froedtert have made it very clear - for me, and for my family, we should be in a CODE RED...Omicron is everywhere - and we need to avoid it like the true plague that it is! I'm not sure they did much to calm my nerves on this topic - other than to say they are confident I'm now headed on a strong enough and steady enough path of recovery that we will stay clear of more frequent visits to the hospital...I am thrilled with this news, and they are also going to outfit me with better ways to test my blood at home!

Engraftment is just the first step of course- at least another couple months of very careful monitoring and waiting to get to 1000 anc and being 100% revaccinated to head back into the world… however I’ll take this exciting milestone!

Speaking of home - we are overdue for an Entertainment report out...

What's Entertaining Us:

A slew of EXCELLENT, truly excellent films...

Movies:

• Being the Ricardos - Phenomenal! We loved Nicole Kidman's performance, and it delivered on so many levels for these 4, I Love Lucy fans...

• Lansky - What could be better than the story of the most infamous Jewish mobster of all time? Not to mention that his philosophy is one that the Democrats in America could surely learn to integrate at some point - you got to control the game if you want to win!!!

TV:

• Finished up the Shrink Next Door - We will certainly miss our weekly dates with Dr. Ike and Marty

• Curb your Enthusiasm: We can't get enough of Tracy Ullman's Character - Irma Kostroski!!

What's Cooking?

• Looking to indulge in some holiday baking (which I've never done, ever in 40 years over the next few days). I figure I might deliver some holiday cheer to my neighbors here on Friess Lake.

• Now that I'm Engrafted - the food choices expand a bit... so some fruit and vegetables may actually be in my future!

What I'm grateful for:

• Progress! Hitting this milestone of Engraftment right as I was starting to freak out - and remembering just how insanely fortunate I am to be in this healing process to begin with!

• As the year draws to an end - having successfully made it through a full year of running my own business, and keep it alive through a bunch of challenging circumstances. Way to go, Drive Agency! (also again and forever thankful for Katie Esteves who keeps the wheels turning at Drive everyday!)

• All the days get longer from here...Well let's rephrase and reframe that, there's only more daylight from here on out!! HAPPY SOLSTICE EVERYONE!