Well, actually it is official as of Day +29, but they didn't know for certain until this morning.
Engrafted! Ta-dah! What a lovely thing to be able to say.
And, her chimerism report came back--all donor cells in Zoe! More great news!
And--even more, fabulous news--we are no longer in "isolation." So, we now have refrigerator privileges, can hang out in common spaces in the unit, and nurses no longer have to gown and mask up when they come into the room.
It's a tremendous burden off everyone's back. And after six weeks. Phew! Long time.
Zoe had a nasal-gastric tube inserted today under sedation. As her platelets have been holding steady around the 50+ mark, they decided it was a good time to place it. The NG tube allows more medication to be taken orally without the need for Zoe to try to swallow it all.
One of the medications they want to start giving Zoe orally is the antiviral medication acyclovir as there is currently a nation-wide shortage that has finally resulted in no IV version of the product to be had. The only option now is the oral variety.
Talking to a PA who has been working on this unit since 1992, she told us that she has never seen this sort of thing happen before. The shortage means that there are children just now starting their chemo regimen who will not be able to have acylovir at all at the point when their mucositis gets bad enough to not be able to take meds orally. It's a critical drug that helps to fight infection while immune systems are offline. I feel bad for those kids--and am so grateful that Zoe got through the most dangerous part of her process while the drug could still be had.
No one seems to know why there is a shortage. I would really hate to hear it has anything to do with profits or politics.
But, back to the good news! Engraftment! Such a pleasant, altogether different song to sing than the ominous one ripping through my head last Sunday...
12 comments:
Go, Zoe, go! [does happy dance]
Dear Zen Family,
I give you thanks and praise for being the link and force behind a very beautiful and powerful human event.
The force is with you....dude and dudettes...
bringing much love and joy to your table,
as always
the brooke family
The good news just keeps on coming! So happy to hear at last. Hang in there, the worst is behind you! Love and hugs....
woooohooooo! (general and loud ululation - is that a word? if not, it ought to be).
you go, you go and you go!
yiiipppeeee, yaaahoooohooohooo.....(dancin' w/"uppity")
what a huge step to have taken.
"engrafted!"
nothing like "drafted".
whew!
take a breath, this moment deserves a ritual.
even if only a small one. something.
wow. thank you.
love,
from all of us.
Love the sound of 50!!! Solid!! i know what it feels like!! And engrafted, Alelulla!!! Allulation!! (new word) My spirit is soaring!!! I'll carry it joyfully into this day, spreading the good news!! love to you all, g
Good job Zoe!!!!What a great day:)
Hugs and kisses from Kittas family.
GO ZOE!!!! So happy to read the news! We are all smiling and dancing with you guys!
Much Love,
Mariah, Mike and Jake
YAAAAAAAHHHH! Maybe that whole oxygen problem is that everyone was holding their breath, waiting for this news! Now it's time to breeeathe - and maybe it'll help the oxygen flow into the little princess!
Monica
Oh yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyy!!!!!! All of us here at Casa Bos are doing a happy dance for engraftment!!!!!
Congratulations!! That is so wonderful! We are thinking about you all often.
What joyful news! Yay, Zoe!
What a joyous event! There's no stopping Zoe girl now.
Love, Kathleen
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