A+

Time to do the happy dance again! We got some very good news today. The results of one of Nick's tests came back today. The alphabet soup name for the test is "rflp," which stands for Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism! I have no idea what all that means. Bottom line: the test tells how much of Nick's blood is genetically the donor (testing DNA) which is also known as chimerism.

I am so happy to report that Nick's result is 100% DONOR!!!!!!!

This is a huge step in the right direction and such a positive finding for Nick! The nurse practitioner told us that this is as good as it gets in terms of "engraftment" of the donor marrow in Nick's body. She said if this was a graded test, he would get an A+. Now it is official...Nick has two DNA's (so very weird to me). His blood/marrow is genetically all donor (the "new and improved" without leukmeia Nick) and the rest of him is genetically the same Nick we all love!

Because Nick's counts have been low, the doctors have been somewhat worried about his graft and they have been waiting for the results of this test to see what further testing, if any, needed to be done. If Nick had been 70/30 or less, sometimes zero donor, that would have been very bad news and possibly indicate signs of graft failure. (This has been hanging over my head for a week or so now and thus why I have been really sad and worried.) NOW I AM GREATLY RELIEVED AT THIS WONDERFUL NEWS! This means that Nick is 100% engrafted and therefore, he does not have graft failure.

Nick's counts are still low and his ANC in particular is still being very stubborn about showing signs of coming back up. Today his platlets, blood count, and white cells have all shown a little bump so that is a good sign that things are going in the right direction. These counts in combination with the rflp show that Nick is doing OK. The new attending Dr. Swisher (OPSEC) was even considering doing a bone marrow biopsy today to check the "chimerism," in the actual marrow; but, Nick did not have to have it done today because of the rflp result!

Nick must continue on all of his antibiotics and anti-fungal medicines until his ANC starts to trend consistently upward and gets over a minimum of 500. Until then, he is still at high risk for infection. I am hoping he will show signs of count recovery throughout the week.

Nick has been in good spirits and feels so much better since somehow we have managed to get a handle on the N&V. He is eating something now and has a little more pep. Nick still has a long way to go, but, today is a great day! The troll is pouting under the bridge and another obstacle has been successfully overcome (thank you God & Ganesha).

I also want to say thank you to EVERYONE who has been supporting Nick (and Glenn, Sara and I) through this process. Your prayers, good thoughts, cards, letters and phone calls let him know that he is not forgotten and that he is well loved by so many. The fundraiser was a rousing success and Nick has been a little overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of family, friends and strangers alike who have come to help in his hour of need. THANK YOU SO MUCH from the bottom of my heart, which today is dancing for joy!

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” Leo F. Buscaglia