Sunday, July 13, 2008

Day 100

This weekend Henry passed an important milestone: 100 days out from his second transplant.

Transplants cause such significant immune compromise due to suppression of the bone marrow and immune system that even though Henry's numbers look pretty good, he's still considered at risk. For the last 100 days we've needed to take the following precautions with him:

  • wear a mask near any groups of people (especially indoors)

  • not be around any sick people

  • wear a mask near any active construction sites

  • no consumption of fresh fruits or vegetables, with the exception of those things that can be washed and peeled

  • no handling of plant products, or playing in the dirt or mulch

  • no fresh cut flowers in the house

  • no eating from any communal sources (ie bag of chips)


Day 100 is a big milestone. He's now allowed to be around people, and generally doesn't need his mask anymore. As soon as his radiation is through, we can expand his diet to include all the watermelon and blueberries that he wants. And he can touch things that up till now we've all shouted "No, germs!" about.

We celebrated by hitting the grocery store, where he was tickled to be able to eat his cookie IN the store instead of waiting until we got into the car. We spent all weekend teasing him with "Quick, Henry, put on your mask!" so that he could gleefully remind us "But I don't need it anymore!"

He's still not back up to full strength; that's still three months (and several vaccinations) away. We've been warned that he should be kept away from anyone with an illness, as he's still susceptible. Any fever demands an immediate trip to the ER (but not necessarily an admission to the hospital). While he's now allowed to play with buddies his age, he's not quite ready for preschool due to the huge volume of germs there, so that will have to wait a few more months.

We head back down to Baltimore to start our last week of radiation in the morning. We're so close we can taste it. Tonight, he picked a big bouquet of daisies for his Grandma's birthday, and we didn't have to tell him not to!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow. How wonderful! I am so happy for you Henry! Congratulations!!!!

ms.t

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Grandma Linda!!

What a great time and place to celebrate!!!

Anonymous said...

What wonderful, wonderful news! That along with this being your last week of radiation is definately a reason to celebrate.
Hope all goes well this last week. Henry - please ring that bell loud enough for us to hear in Hagerstown on Friday.

Happy Birthday to Linda too!

Love, Julie, Brad, Patrick, Andrew and Samantha

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy for you Henry!! You
ring that bell as hard as you want to on Friday!! I'll be listening for it.

Love
Shanda

Anonymous said...

Hooray, Henry. I know that if you are like a certain three-year-old girl we know, you have been missing the fresh fruit. That first fresh blueberry and watermelon will be the BEST!! It is wonderful that you are doing so well. It is great to hear that you are loving life and living it to the fullest.

Lots of love,
Wayne, Shirley, Sophia, and Fiona

Anonymous said...

Henry,
When you are done on Friday with your last radiation treatment, we want to hear the cheers all the way here in Knoxville, TN.
Enjoy the new freedom and the foods you have been missing.
Have a great week!

Cousin Susan H.

Anonymous said...

I can feel the excitement building today all the way in Texas - way to go Henry and Family for your perseverence and courage!!!!!! Enjoy all of that fresh fruit (mixed with ice cream would be good!!)
Hugs to all
Linda and Val