Jan. 7th. Day +45

Today is day +45. In the real world of Bone Marrow Transplants, this would be the day that Ken is out of danger, the day his white cells should be en grafted. Day +45 was the day that we were looking forward to. This is the day. Ken's cells are en grafted, but he is so not out of danger.

Ken is holding on. He is needing more drugs to keep him stable, but the docs are encouraged that he is stable. The fear is that he will get a new infection or new issue. But as long as we can keep that from happening, they are hopeful that his lungs will heal. They do not know for sure how much damage has been done to his lungs, that is why they are not sure if they will heal or not. But I had a long conversation with Dr. Matous this morning. He informed me that this is going to be a long process. They are not giving up on Ken and he has a lot of doctors that are helping to figure this out. Dr. Matous suggested that I try to work part time during the next few weeks while they have him sedated. He joked and said he would tell Ken that I was here every minute when he wakes up. I was just glad to hear him talking about him waking up. I asked today if a lung transplant was an option. He said that it isn't out of the question and it may be a possibility for Ken. He isn't at that point yet, but they will consider it if in gets to that point. Doc said that they haven't ever had someone die from this kind of lung injury with bone marrow transplant and they certainly don't want Ken to be the first. So they are doing all that they can. The good things are that Ken is healthy in every other way. He has a strong heart, his kidneys are great, his liver seems great, he is handling the nutrition just fine. He is starting to have a few skin issues just from being in bed so long, and we know his muscles have suffered. But he can come back from all that. We just have to make sure he doesn't get any other infections and we have to pray that his lungs heal. The docs are encouraged that he is needing less oxygen input with this oscillator to stay above 90%. That is good. I am so hopeful. Our prayers are working. They just have to be working. I know God is listening. Bless you all. Bev