Still waiting to be released, 11/9

Wow. What was supposed to be just a routine stop at the hospital last Saturday night for a blood transfusion has turned into almost a week of aggravation, frustration, and pushing the limits of patience.

I learned this afternoon that Stefan will have to remain in the hospital yet another 24 hours for observation and treatment. A blood culture taken this morning showed that his white blood count hasn't moved at all - meaning it's still real low, down in dangerous territory. His initial 4 week hospital stay required a white blood count of over 1000 for him to be released, with no fever, good platelet count, and whatever other good numbers he needs.

And that's what he hasn't succeeded with this week. His platelets are half of what they need to be. His hemoglobin is low enough that they give him daily transfusions. His fever seems to creep back during the night, thought it's really a low-numbered fever (hasn't gone over 100.5 during this stay). But the worst of it all is his white blood count (wbc). Even though he's been getting Leukine injections, which are supposed to help his body build up the white blood cells, his wbc is still dangerously low - below 300.

Various members of the oncology team have stopped by this week to see Stefan. Today, Dr. Olga told him the earliest he could expect to go home would be on Friday, if things improve.

So for now, he's aggravated, frustrated, and almost out of patience. His response today was "Fine. Whatever. Keep me here, or don't." He doesn't want books or other reading material; music; and he's not much in the mood for company. I hope there are positive changes headed his way, so that he can go home before this weekend. It's not so great to feel utterly useless... whether you're the patient, or the patient's family.

Prayers and positive thoughts are definitely needed. Before things spiral out of control...