Respect the Stach

Carter is taking a medicine that is gross and makes him hairy. He has developed an adorable fuzzy nose and prepubescent stach. We got a good report from the doctor today. His platelet count was up to 152 which I think might actually be normal. His other two counts were good too which means his baby cord blood is doing his body good. They were monitoring for viruses after last visit they saw some possible action but today everything is still down in a safe range and not a threat. Still pretty nervous about him getting sick, but keeping him masked up and sanitized seems to be doing the trick. He's getting a little bored but I'm sure this week he will feel better! Merry Christmas to all! 

Day 41

 

Ok.SO SORRY for the delay in an update! This is Carter on the day we left the hospital!

 

 

Some of the amazing staff that cared for him.

 

 

Nick, an awesome nurse that cared for Carter.

 

 

 

 

Breaking out! This was the first time Carter was in this part of the hospital since he was admitted.

 

 

Finally home!

 

Ok. So to update everyone on Carter's progress.

Yesterday the doctor called and said the results of his bone marrow test show that his marrow is 100% donor. I'm not 100% sure what that means, but I'm fairly certain it means that his body has accepted his transplant and allowed the new marrow to "move in" as we say. The doctor said she was really happy about that!

 

Carter has been eating like a horse and has the cutest puffy cheeks due to his steroids. He's still on a lot of meds as they try to prevent his old immune system from trying to fight off the new stuff and keep him free from any infections.

 

We've had a few little virus scares here and there but nothing serious so far. We are trying to keep him mostly isolated with a few visitors here and there, as long as they are feeling well. He got a sweet set up in his room and a new desk so he's been doing a lot of Legos and doing school each afternoon with his teacher.

 

Thank you to so many of you who have sent cards, little gifts, and love and support. We have received so much! Every little bit has helped make Carter feel so happy. I really am at peace with where he is mentally as he seems very content and glad to be home with his family!

 

Oh, and we found out that he IS allowed to eat food from restaurants as long as they have an A rating, and so he has had wings like three times in the past two weeks. He is obsessed with hot wings.

 

His doctors are looking for day 100 as the next big milestone, but also said he won't be out of the woods for a few more months.

 

 

Day 28

I'm late in posting about our release because I took some amazing photos the day we left the hospital but have yet to upload them with the chaos of the last few days. We left the hospital on Monday and brought Carter home. He was so happy to be back in his own room. He had crab and steak for dinner. The next day he started to have some pain when using the bathroom and also some blood, which they say can be from chemo or a virus. So we are waiting to hear back from that. On Monday he gets another biopsy of his bone marrow done to see how things are working and also he gets one of his lines removed. The doctor said his body is mostly donor cells.. she couldn't find the percentage but said it was high and she was happy. That shows that the transplant is taking and the donor cells. .the cells that work. .are doing their job! Giving him his meds at home freaks me out since there are so many. I also have to hook up his iv lines to various things. Everything is going ok though and Carter is eating like a madman. Just taking it one jam packed day at a time.