Engraftment Finally!

Mark has finally engrafted and he is no longer nauseous. His white blood cell count is up to 3.49, and his absolute neutrophile count (ANC) is above 500. (Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that fights against infections. A normal ANC is above 1,500 cells per microliter; less than 500 cells means neutropenia and significantly increases the risk of infection.)

Mark and Dianna have had to spend an extra two hours at the hospital the last couple of days because Mark needed potassium and they wanted to get his level up. The best medicine for that?? Banana smoothies!

Mark can have company now as long as they are not sick nor have been in the last few weeks. Dianna said she is finally letting him out of the "East Wing". Apparently she's had him locked away in the bedroom to prevent him from ending up in the hospital with a staph infection or anything else for that matter.

Mark is still very weak and will be for awhile. He is off the antibiotics and Dianna is no longer hooking his IV up in the evenings and through the night.

Mark and Dianna will go back to the hospital tomorrow for labs. If everything looks good, they will set up a clearance appointment with Dr. Zangari. The next thing on the schedule is a 2-month break!