Day +63 & 64, Vaccination's, Enlarged Spleen & Rehabilitation

This week Clif was given 5 vaccinations, the exact same ones a brand new baby gets!  It's been 24 hours since injections were given and no allergic reactions have occured, good news.  More often, vaccinations are given at about 12 months post transplant.  The reason for early injection will be explained in more detail below.

Enlarged Spleen;  We mentioned last week that the ultrasound revealed an enlarged spleen.  We have discovered that his spleen began enlarging when Nuprigen was increased a few weeks ago to boost his White Blood Cell production.     Since this discovery, we are holding off as much as possible in using this drug.  It's still necessary at certain points when his counts are too low.  Remember, WBC's help fight infection and we still have the lung issue, aspergillus which is currently under control but we don't want that to become a problem.   Unfortunately, what they thought was a distended abdomen and excess fluid was also his spleen enlarging.  By the time we learned this, concerns started to mount of what the next step should be.  A Splenectomy is definitely a possibility in the future.  If indeed that should happen, Clif needed early vaccinations.  Our doctor is tilling the soil and preparing for what might possibly happen and being vaccinated is necessary.  We are 50/50 on whether the removal of the spleen will occur and if it does, Clif needs to get stronger.    

This has been a difficult week for both of us.  We were moving in the direction of a rehab hospital and hopes of coming home were in view.  When the recent findings of the ultrasound took us to such disappointing news, neither one of us were prepared to deal with this.  We still do not know the path of treatment we will be taking.  We are waiting and trusting the wisdom of the team of drs and surgeons on our case.

Rehabilitation continues;  although not able to stand on his own, Clif works diligently and daily at strengthening his entire body.  

“Because you are my help,

I sing in the shadow of your wings.

My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me.”

Psalm 63:7-8