Turning Around

We've been in clinic twice this week for counts and results of Mireya's bone marrow biopsy.  On Monday her counts showed a small improvement.  The information on hand from her biopsy showed all three of her cell lines present along with the cells of origination (mother cells) which is a really good sign.  The final report would show us the make up of those cells either boy (Jalen) or girl (Mireya) and hopefully give us an indication of what or where the issus lies.  Mireya's white count increased and her hemoglobin has held steady. Her platelets have continued to go down, but at a slower pace which tells us her body is making them.  This was very encouraging because we expected the possibility of a platelet transfusion. We hope to avoid any transfusions if possible, because as the body receives transfusions, it takes on the genetic makeup of the blood or platelet product and can cause issues should another transplant or a 'boost' need to take place.  We left clinic with favorable news, one step closer to figuring out this puzzle.

In today's appointment, we received the final report from pathology which showed favorable percentages of Mireya's cellular makeup.  All her counts were up, even the platelets which is typically one of the last lines to rebound.  Prayerfully they will continue to increase.  There are a few theories as to why this has occurred, it could be that Mireya was taken off the Tacrilimus prematurely. Tacrilimus is also one of the most toxic medications in Mireya's regimen and we were quite pleased when she was able to come off of it. Tac has been used to suppress Reya's immune system post transplant. She has been doing exceptionally well up until this point and there was no indication that taking her off of it would suddenly cause the small percentage of her original cells (girl) to destroy everything it deemed 'foreign' or as bad in her system.  Wow, even on a cellular level, girls don't go down without a fight.  So this is the one instance where I'm denying GIRL POWER and I'm cheering on the boys.  C'mon boys you can do it, put a little power to it! Go team Jalen!

Another thought is she contracted an unknown and undetected virus that her anti-viral meds are not equipped to address and as a result her body identified those cells as a threat and in turn started destroying all cells?  So we continue to try and figure out what has caused stress to her bone marrow to the point that it stopped functioning optimally.  We also discussed how similar instances have occurred in other patients when Tacrilimus has been removed or decreased.  It is a fine balance of timing and dosing, so Mireya will be monitored via labs and counts more frequently, but it appears her body is working to recover.  Thank you Lord!  Additional tests were run today to identify any possible viruses not detected previously.  There has been less bruising and petechaie present and that is also a good indication of a turn around.  God will turn it around for the good! We are believing Mireya's health is increasing and her body is repairing itself.  We're still standing on Phillipians 1:6, and we know that everything is working together for our good.  Thank you for continuing to keep her and our family in your thoughts and prayers.

God is Sovereign and is faithful to complete every good work he has started.