Basically, all is going well. Another night passed quietly and uneventfully – I rested well and feel quite energetic. I walk the corridors as needed, my appetite is good etc. All my vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, pulse) keep constant for 2 days now. The cultures taken after I had fever Sunday night came back negative, so with all this positive info they disconnected me completely from all wires (telemetry) and lines (various infusions of antibiotics and liquids), and now I don't have to carry that pole on wheels everywhere I go! Great comfort, also at night, when these things tend to tangle...
My blood numbers are also as expected. Reds and platelets are not generated anymore, and I'll get transfused as needed. The white cells are almost at zero, so this is the time I am most susceptible to infections. The main measurements they seem to care about are certain immune suppressants, Tacrolimus and Sirolimus, which control and tame the expected GVHD (graft versus host disease), namely the rejection symptoms. These levels too seem fine so far, but will kept being closely watched in the next few months. The donor stem cells are now supposed to find their way into my bones and start generating all blood and immune cells. The new immune cells in particular will not like my body, and these immune suppressants, Tacrolimus and Sirolimus, will do the fine balancing act of protecting me from their attacks, and allowing them to learn their job of fighting actual infections attacking my body.
So the plan is to release me tomorrow from the hospital. This will put me back in the outpatient regime, namely living again with Edna and Eyal in our apartment on 75th st., and coming to the hospital daily for several hours of tests and infusions as needed. If so, this will be just as planned initially.
Meanwhile, Edna and Eyal take nice advantage of my stay here, managing to sample various restaurants and entertainment options offered by the big apple, which is great. Last night's highlights were an Indian music concert Eyal went to, and then an Oyster and Ramen bar they went to together. Also at home, Eyal makes sure that only the finest wine is served, they both cook, and in short it is great that Eyal is with us for these first few weeks!
Finally, just a word about sterility in this transplant ward. Those sharp-eyed among you noticed that in the picture here I am with mask and gloves, whereas in yesterday's I am without them. Yesterday it was in my room (=my fort) where all medical personnel and guests wear mask and gloves, while today's is in the corridor, where tons of people walk around and I must protect myself with a mask and gloves.
