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Sunday, November 18, 2007

Day 30 of induction protocol

Dale managed to get by this week without a transfusion of any kind. Last week he required both blood and platelets. If you were donor number 8132754 , thank you for your platelets. On Friday, Nov. 9th Dale's platelets were 32,000. The doctor told Dale he probably didn't need a transfusion just yet but since there was a long weekend coming up he gave him the option of getting one. Dale told his doctor " Someone came all the way up here to donate platelets for me so I don't want it to go to waste" The nurse had checked with blood bank earlier and told Dale that a unit of platelets would be expiring on Sunday. So the doctor authorized the transfusion and Dale was good to go for the week. This week his platelets were 56,000. The Wbc is now 3.0 and the ANC was 1600. Dale's bone marrow is starting to recover from the last chemo. He has just about lost all of his hair but that did not stop him from playing basketball or golf. Yesterday, Wade, Derek and Dale played a round of golf and today Dale played basketball with his team. Last weekend Dale went on a motorcycle ride with Uncle Alan again just for fun. They cruised around and had a lot of fun. Derek was also treated with a ride too. Later that evening Dale attended his basketball team party where they presented him with an autographed #8 Kobe jersey. He was very surprised. I wish I could have captured the look on his face when he saw the signature on the number. Of course, I did not have a camera. Too bad Auntie Shari wasn't with us. She would of had her camera ready. The last few evenings, Dale has been experiencing headaches which the doctor attributes to the lumbar puncture he received on Friday , the 16th. A needle is placed into Dale's spine and spinal fluid is removed and chemo is put in. Sometimes the spinal fluid continues to leak out and this causes the headache. It doesn't hurt as much lying down and tylenol seems to help. We are going back to UCLA on Wednesday to check if he will need more platelets. Thank you for your continued support, blood and platelet donations and for your prayers. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

1 comments:

Nancy said...

Dale, you are getting such a good spike from the platelet transfusions. I remember when my platelets started at 7 and after the transfusion it went to 8. (Sad, huh? .... You are much more efficient than me) I'm so glad you are able to play golf and basketball. You must be feeling good. Keep it up and I hope those headaches subside. Be Strong...love, Nancy