update 10/21/10

Hi Everyone,


Here is the latest on my dad. 

This morning when he woke up he mentioned that he felt a little off.  Upon taking his temperature he discovered that he was running a fever.  Additionally, when the nurse stopped by the house to draw his blood-she discovered that his white blood cell count was 310 which was drastically down from 3,500 the previous day.  Although neutropenia or a decreased white blood cell count is part of the chemotherapy/neupogen process, due to the elevated temperature he was admitted to the hospital.  His low white blood cell count makes him extremely vulnerable to infection and sickness.  Most likely, he will stay in the hospital for the next few days.  When his white blood cell count increases he will be admitted to the University of Chicago Medical Center for stem cell harvesting.

Currently, he is at Elkhart General Hospital in room 4332.  It has been a tough couple of days and I think he  would enjoy hearing from people.  If you want to stop by the hospital please be advised that he cannot have any plants or flowers in his room due to potential infection.

I will keep everyone posted on any updates.

Thanks,

Michelle