Counts are still low.

The platelet transfusion that Jeremy got yesterday didn’t take for some reason.  His platelet count before the transfusion was the same after.  The doctors ordered another platelet transfusion for him hoping it would take.  Our doctor was talking about his body building antibodies that could be rejecting the transfused platelets.  Not really sure what that means right now.  If it means that his body is rejecting it, we’re uncertain about what it means for future treatment phases where he will need platelet transfusions.

Jeremy’s temperature has also been teetering on the line that determines whether or not he has a fever.  The staff here considers a fever to be anything above 38oC (100.4oF). He’s been between 37oC (98.6oF) and 37.8oC (100oF) today. We are praying that he will remain fever free. Here’s a video of Jeremy being borderline feverish, right before bed.

Praise God that Jeremy was eating alright today. I get frustrated when he doesn’t eat what I want him to, but Alice is much more patient and reminds me that a small bite is still a bite, even if it does take two hours for him to finish a meal.

We’ve been applying some steroid-free, itch relief cream for his rash every few hours the last couple days. He usually lies shirtless on his back while we do this, right before his afternoon nap. Today, a nurse walked in to attend to an alarm on one of the machines on his IV pole while I was applying the cream. Jeremy noticed a bandage on her arm and decided to initiate a conversation with her.

Jeremy: “Hi Nurse! My sleeping now!”
Nurse: “Hi! You’re going to sleep now?”
Jeremy: “Yeah. Nurse have bandon.”
Us: “He notices your bandage.”
Nurse: “Oh! Yeah, I do have a bandage!”
Jeremy: “From poking?”
Nurse: “Oh, no, not from poking. I got a burn, but it’s ok. I have a bandage so it feels better.”
Jeremy: (long pause, eyebrows furrowed)
Alice: “Jeremy, are you concerned about her bandage?”
Jeremy: (puts his hands together) “Dear God, Pray Nurse bandon, for ouchie. Please heal me. In Jesus mane, Amen!”

The nurse was surprised by this and laughed saying, “Amen! That was a first!”

We’re a bit on edge tonight since Jeremy was borderline feverish all day.  If he hits that 38oC, they’ll have to put him back on those two additional antibiotics, take blood cultures, and bump up his fluids because those two antibiotics are slightly more toxic and need to be flushed out of his system more often.

Please continue to pray:

  • that God would continue to use this situation for His glory
  • that we would be obedient to God’s plans for this situation
  • that we would continue to cast our worries and fears on the Lord
  • that God would provide full and complete healing and total health for Jeremy
  • that the regenerating bone marrow would produce only good white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets
  • that the bone marrow aspirate at the end of this first block of treatment would show no leukemia cells (that Jeremy would be in remission)
  • that we would not see any more fevers for the duration of Jeremy’s recovery
  • that Jeremy’s appetite would continue to improve so we can avoid giving him nutrients through the IV
  • that the rash under the dressing on his central line site would go away and that it is not a result of infection
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