Day Nine

Sorry, I didn't get back with another update yesterday. I just got back a little while ago from the hospital. I wasn't going to visit because Daddy's counts are still not even registering and we are so afraid of infection. Vickie rode with me and we had planned to meet Moma in the waiting room to get her clothes and guess who snuck down there? The old man himself :) I fussed a little but it was good to see him. Of course, we kept our distance but I think it did them both good to see familiar faces. They are SO ready to be out of there!
Daddy's counts still have not begun to rise. They are continuing to give him the Neupogen shots to hurry them along. He says Moma was a much better shot giver by the way :) When we left, Moma called to say his fever was 100.5 so they have begun him on very agressive antibiotics. They have also done several cultures and a chest x-ray to see if they can figure out where it is coming from. The nurse reiterated that this is very normal and there is no cause for alarm yet. The fever police (aka Moma)...they should have never given her a thermometer...called to tell me a minute ago that it was back down to 99.5. Praise the Lord!!
Sometimes during engraftment (when Daddy's cells find their way back home so to speak) you will run a fever. We are praying this is the case and Daddy's counts will be on the way up tomorrow. They were supposed to test his counts again at 11:00 this morning and the nurse misread the orders and didn't do it until Moma asked about it around 5:00. This morning in church Pastor Billy and the church family had a special prayer for Daddy, particularly that the counts would begin to rise. I have complete faith that God touched him today and we will see that in his numbers tomorrow. We are so thankful to have such a wonderful church family who believes in the power of prayer and who lifts our family up everyday.
Moma and I were talking tonight about we have learned so much from this experience and I am sure Daddy feels the same way. It is funny how so much good can come from something so bad. We know and believe that is all part of God's perfect plan and He continues to use this for the up building of His kingdom.
Please say a special prayer for Daddy's and Moma's emotional state tonight. It is very depressing for him to feel so bad and be stuck in that room for so long. I could tell tonight that Daddy especially is very down and that is understandable. I know it is hard for Moma too because she has to be strong and be a cheerleader 24/7. Just please pray that God would give them peace and hope that only He can give. Thanks for all of your prayers. Please keep them coming. Much love to you all!