Mom and Dad found out today that the doctors now want to keep them in the hospital at least until Wednesday (that's a de facto "them," as Mom has been living and sleeping there for the past 9 days). The doctors' most immediate concern continues to be Dad's low blood counts, especially the platelet numbers. Because of the recurring and persistent bleeding due to the low platelets, they are considering giving him a blood coagulant, but this would carry with it a risk of life-threatening blood clots. As it is, Dad has required daily, sometimes twice daily, transfusions, and it is hard to see the value in sending him home only to endure trips down to Penn every day, plus the risk of more nosebleeds that won't stop. So Mom and Dad are actually happy to stay put for the time being. Too, Dad's energy level is so low that a long trip home through the cold hardly sounds tempting.

The doctors are also concerned with the state of Dad's immune system as the cumulative effect of the chemo becomes increasingly manifest. (As I understand it, the expectation is that Dad's system will be at its weakest--and he'll feel the worst--about 7 days after the end(?) of the chemo--i.e. this weekend.) Dad has struggled with a low-grade fever for the past few days, and had another rough night last night with chills and sweats. A test for a urinary tract infection came out negative, thankfully; we are waiting for the results of a chest X-ray to check for signs of pneumonia, a particular danger for myeloma patients on chemo. Dad is already on a course of antibiotics as a preventative measure.

So. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors in deciding how to handle the platelet deficiency. Pray that Dad would be safe from blood clots if they decide to go ahead with the blood coagulant; regardless, pray that Dad's platelet count would stabilize and begin to climb. In general, our prayer is that all of Dad's blood counts--red blood cell, platelet, white blood cell--would rise--that is that Dad's body would again begin to make its own blood cells. Pray that Dad would be protected from infection on account of his weakened immune system.

Thanks for checking in.