Day +10

A stem cell transplant is not something someone should lose one's hair over. This was my philosophy until as recently as last Wednesday. Unfortunately, in my case, it has happened. I suddenly started losing head hair a couple days ago and now am down to maybe 20% coverage. Viewed from the top,The non-loss areas seem to form a head shot outline of a bearded man. I was kinda hoping for a two-ended lightning bolt. I've now determined that the bearded head outline looks like that well known poster of 'Che', the latin liberator. Tomorrow he should be gone, fallen out. Then my head will look like a cue ball for several months. I've taken to wearing my beaney hat again.

I got the remote EKG device removed from my torso today. It was just another piece of hardware that I now wont have to lug around.

Today the doctor gave a good report. The manual blood count done after the machine counts shows an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 10. It also shows a WBC count of 0.1. The manual counts are done by hand but the ANC is more accurate.
The WBC count for a healthy person ranges from 4.5 to 11.
I'm on the board! My stem cell graft appears to be taking place!

Cathie and family hung with me today, once again lifting my spirits. Dad had a sore throat and is making sure he has fully recovered before coming back to my room. He phones me twice a day now. Bless his heart for his unwavering support. The nurses do not want anyone on the floor with any symptoms of infection.

Thanx to all of you!