Woooohooooo!

Wooohooo! Welcome, Wanda!

Although statistically questionable, the data shows Drew has had four days of slightly increasing white blood cell counts which have everyone smiling and saying the transplant is starting to work. Combined with another few improvements in measures of kidney function, we have lots of good news today.

Interestingly, Wanda starts her duties by causing problems, as we expected. When the first new white cells appear, they look for things to attack, and they often pick good cells and tissue. It may be that Drew's skin rashes are caused or irritated by the very white blood cells we have so eagerly anticipated. The overlap of radiation symptoms slowly declining and graft vs. host symptoms slowly increasing may make for some uncomfortable days ahead, but Drew is playing the right game now.

Time to break out the champagne...er...steroids, and start helping Wanda to make friends!