My white count went from .79 yesterday to 1.09 today. My platelet count yesterday, after I got the bag of platelets, was 30 and this morning it was 22. I hope that means they're holding somewhat on their own. I think in the last several days they would have dropped more. For example yesterday, before I got the bag of platelets, the count was 12. I might be just too hopeful at this point. They assure me that it will soon be going up if not now.
Dr. Van Rhee's two APNs came by and filled me in more on their thinking as to what Van Rhee might decide. They are thinking I will be discharged by this weekend. We would then be here for about 2 weeks and then possibly have a stem cell transplant. I have no idea how long that would take but recovery would be the longest part of the process. I know the stem cell transplant would be risky, but at this point I think that would be the way to go if the doctor recommends it. They were very pleased with the way my body had responded to the chemo and recovered well so far. I have been very blessed to not have had very many side effects. I've heard stories of people really having a rough time.
This is a good time for me to say again how much I appreciate your prayers. I think each of you for your support. It has really meant a lot to us both.
I told the APNs that I felt better now than I had felt in a long time. They said myeloma produces something in your body that flu produces when you have the flu. With my myeloma reduced right now, I am feeling better.
Thank each of you for your comments.

I received another bag of platelets today and one unit of blood. My body, of course, is still not producing enough platelets to keep up.
My white count went from 0.56 yesterday to 0.79 today. Of course, I was very glad to see that increase. The best news I got today was from my myeloma markers test which are done on Mondays and Wednesdays. The Kappa free light chains went from 8.60 last Wednesday to 7.07 today. They should not exceed 1.94. I had feared that they would actually go up and the doctor on the weekend prepared me to see a result where they did increase but I am very thankful that it actually went down. Of course this past chemo was just to get the myeloma knocked down to where it can be managed in some way and will come back as bad as it was if nothing else is done. The weekend doctor told me that I may need to have a bone marrow biopsy just to check to see if the myeloma has actually decreased or has only decreased the markers.
I am very thankful for all the prayers that have gone out asking God for my healing.

Today was the 31st day in the hospital.

We had a wonderful visit today with my brother from Memphis and my niece. They are in the photo above. I really hated to see them leave.
My white count went from .34 yesterday to .54 today. I had to get another bag of platelets today so I am still not producing platelets which is expected right now.
Thank you for your nice comments. I hope you have a nice beginning to a new week.

I received one bag of platelets today and one unit of blood. My white count went from .24 yesterday to .34 today.
I am so hopeful that my platelets will soon start to recover. In case I didn't mention it in a previous post, that is an indication of how well the bone marrow is recovering from the chemo. It must recover before I can go on to the next step. At this point, it looks like the next step would be a stem cell transplant.
My hair was coming out from the after effects of the chemo so we cut it all off last night.
Thanks for leaving the nice comments.

The photo above shows the work that Dr. Pait did on my neck. They tell me it will not set off metal detectors and it'll be okay to have an MRI with it.
My white count went from .12 yesterday to .24 today. It looks like it's on the increase now and I hope the platelets will increase too but they tell me that's the last thing to recover. The doctor said today it will probably take a week or two for the platelets to recover. I meant to post yesterday that I got a bag of platelets yesterday and a unit of blood the day before.
A big happy birthday to our good friend, Kathy Dean, who regularly reads this blog and often leaves comments.
I guess that will be all for today. I hope you're having a real nice day.

My white count went from .06 yesterday to .12 today. Maybe now it will continue to increase.
The oncologist that is seeing Dr. Van Rhee's patients stopped by today and was very pleased at how my myeloma markers have come down. He said this past treatment of chemo will probably work another two months. I hope he is right.
I continue to have digestive tract issues from the chemo. I have no idea how long that's going to last. Today I saw my first sign that my hair is starting to come out. I will probably cut it all off tomorrow. I have not felt as well today as I have the past several days. It could be because of sleep they came in at 3:45 this morning to draw the blood. They have not been doing it that early before.
I hope everyone is having a nice day.

This is the 26th day in the hospital.