Stem Cell Transplant, Day+9

Monday night, after I posted the last entry, Denise spiked a high fever (103+) and had so much fluid build up that she could scarcely breathe. Tuesday, they moved her down to ICU where she could get more comprehensive monitoring and multi-specialty treatment. Labs showed enzyme markers for a potentially serious liver disease. Tuesday and Wednesday she was very sick, but there are a lot of indications today that Denise has turned a corner. Her temperature was near normal all day, she was much more alert and communicative, the enzyme (bilirubin) for liver disease dipped a little, and her white cells have risen from 0.0 to 0.8 (800 white cells per cubic millimeter)*. The doctors from all the various specialties that have trooped by ICU are all encouraging and happy with the direction of her treatment. This is not to say that there may not still be some ups and downs ahead or that she's entirely out of danger but we're cautiously optimistic for the first time in several days. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers; keep them up!