Two Down and One To Go

As usual, this has been an interesting trip to Ann Arbor. We drove in on Monday afternoon and are staying at
Hampton North for three nights. Knowing that a winter storm was coming in and also scheduled for early appointments on Tuesday morning, it just made sense. Ron had his infusion of antibodies to help prevent infections on Tuesday. He had a hospital-type room in the infusion area of the adult bone marrow transplant clinic in Mott Hospital. All of the pediatric BMT clinic and hospital areas are also on 7th floor Mott but on the opposite side.
Ron's bloodwork showed that one of his white blood cell counts had dropped more (ANC .9), so he had a shot to boost this count, and they decided to have more bloodwork on Wednesday to screen for several viruses. It will also be a re-check of his IGG antibody count and a CBC. This blood test was after ECP light therapy.

Well, we did have the winter storm!! Ron and I returned to the hotel on Tuesday in sleet and wind, and then overnight we had 6 inches of snow. That was the most we have seen this year. The temp stayed 31-34 degrees, so part of it was rain. Now we are having light snow tonight but shouldn't be a problem to get out for the last appointment at 8:30 in the morning. ECP light therapy --and we will know some test results. We should be back home to Gilead Lake by 2:00 at the latest.

The storm took out the Direct TV and analog for about 24 hours, and many tree limbs were broken, especially in the tall evergreens. I figured out how to get the Indiana basket ball game on Watch ESPN on our IPad---throwing out another thank you to the group who gave Ron the IPad about 2 years ago. I use it everyday, and it is my most convenient link to our community of family and friends. Almost all of my blogging is done on the IPad. I also keep track of the weather for our travels, and I use Ron's U of M Health link for tracking appointments, test results, and I can communicate with Ron's nurse, PA, and Doc. So again, thanks!!

We continue to feel and hear your expressions of support in many ways. It means a lot to us! I need to let you know how important that is. This has indeed been the long haul. It was almost three years ago that Ron started having the first infections that were the onset symptoms of his leukemia, AML. We will be able to start biweekly ECP treatments in April. Weekly treatments are scheduled through March.
Love to all of you,
Ron & Jan