My counts are up

On Tuesday, I had a full blood count test done. The results showed that my neutrophils count was 1.65 and my platelet level above 600! Mummy and Daddy thought the lab had got my results mixed up (my neutrophils count was only 0.02 last Thursday) ... my doctor ordered another test to be done the next day, just to be sure! Well, we got a further surprise. My neutrophils count was 3.18 and my platelet level beyond 700! In other words, I've recovered from round 4 of chemo (it took me 3 weeks this time instead of 4 weeks for round 3) and with no high fever or infection.

As a result, I am now scheduled for the Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) sooner than expected. I am having some oral chemo to keep my counts under control in the meantime, which I can take at home. I have started the pre-BMT "work-up", which includes a battery of blood tests (they drew 2.5 syringes of blood last night), another bone marrow test, bone biopsy and a dental checkup, among other things. I will most likely need to surgically insert a new Mr Hickman since the current Mr Hickman hasn't been working so well of late, and we need "him" to be very cooperative with all the things that will be going in and out of me during the next few months, especially the infusion of the cord blood.

Meanwhile, the "cord" is being tested for disease and if it's clear, my doctor will order it to be air flown from the Australian Cord Blood Bank (held in a special liquid nitrogen tank). Yes, that's right, it looks like my donor will be an Australian. (Don't worry, I will still be supporting the All Blacks ... I have an All Blacks shirt and like chanting "All Blacks ... All Blacks".)

I will write more about what the BMT will involve soon, and about my particular cord once it is confirmed. My doctor says the BMT may begin as soon as 22 August!