Thursday morning update - he's home

I just talked to Stefan (9:30am).
He's on his way home. Actually, he's in the car waiting to go home. Daniella ran inside the deli to get some fresh buns and whatnot.

Stefan spent the night at Lutheran General. He received one unit of platelets and two units of blood. His wbc came back - he is at .4 right now, and he is neutropenic again. Which is right on track for where his wbc should be, after chemo last week.

His platelet count had not come in at the time he checked out, so the results will be called in to Dr. Olga, who will then contact Stefan to let him know.

A fairly routine night in the progress and process of things. Platelet count went down, they called him in for a transfusion, after which they needed to keep him for observation. No other reasons to keep Stefan in the hospital this time (no fevers or other complications).

So, here we are, almost a full week after he finished his chemo last week. Stefan's energy level has pretty much bottomed out. His wbc is nearing the lowest point as well, and he is (as I said earlier) neutropenic once again - so no flowers, raw fruits or vegetables with peels, etc. Also, his immunity is most vulnerable right now, so no visitors with colds or recent live-culture immunizations, please.

As far as I know, he is still on track to go in for stem cell harvesting next week on the 19th. I haven't heard otherwise from Stefan or Daniella, so if and when Dr. Olga changes that procedure date, she'll let them know, and either Daniella or I will post any changes. But until we hear different, we're assuming he's still going in on the 19th to start harvesting.

Hopefully, last night was the only minor complication in this week preceding Wigilia. Even though Stefan will be tired, weak, and possibly still neutropenic, his intentions are still to spend Christmas Eve with the four generations of the Maca Family. And right now, that's exactly what we're planning.

Wishing you and yours Happy and Healthy Holidays.
Enjoy the magic of the season!

Just a reminder... You've only got 9 more shopping days until Christmas Eve. If you don't exchange gifts until Christmas Day... well, then you have a few hours more!