Counts are climbing nicely!

Just a quick update to let you know Dad's transplant counts are climbing nicely! His white blood cells are at 10.1 (should be 4-11), the hemoglobin is at 86 (should be 135-170) and the platelets are at 71 (should be 150-400). The white blood cells are especially important because they are continually on the lookout for signs of disease.  Whenever a germ or infection enters the body, the white blood cells snap to attention and race toward the scene of the crime. 

Although there are other side effects he is dealing with right now we are so thankful that his body has accepted the transplant and that he is able to fight infections. 

We have been told that there is a possibility that Dad will be getting GVHD (graft versus host disease) which is a complication that can occur after a bone marrow transplant in which the newly transplanted material attacks his body. There are several symptoms that will occur and then the doctors will treat him in order to suppress his immune response without damaging the new bone marrow.

We do not know when this will happen but we pray his body will be able to fight and overcome this disease. We do know by his counts that he has grafted nicely and we praise God for this!