The night of

Malcolm did well today. It was a long procedure - about three hours. He started just before noon with an IV insertion as soon as he was sedated followed by a platelet transfusion. His platelets were a bit low yesterday (48) and in any event there is concern that they are not functioning properly. Then a hematologist did the bone marrow aspirate. Next a general surgeon came in and inserted the central line (a double hickman). It will be used to give him drugs and blood products intravenously and to draw blood samples. Finally the ENT doctor came and removed his adenoids and inserted tubes in his ears. Everything went like clockwork except that the tubes made his ears bleed quite a bit and there was some concern that his blood wasn't clotting so they gave him something to help make his platelets sticky.

He will hopefully just be in hospital tonight. He seems ok but really tired. He took a long nap after the procedure so we didn't make it upstairs till after 5. Then he napped some more and finally ate supper around 7:30. He is settling down to sleep now but they have to check his vitals every four hours so it will be a long night.

Thanks to everyone who has wished us well and kept us in their thoughts. More this weekend,

Mary Ellen