Tuesday~day 16

Yesterday hospital administration told us that our health insurance would no longer cover Jethenros' stay here...and we began the procedure to transfer him to the hospital that we know is covered.  When the director of the ONC team was notified about the transfer, he got on the phone and pulled strings with the insurance company and the administration of the hospital, and came to tell us personally that Jethenro would NOT need to be transferred and that this stay would be at least mostly covered. We praise the Lord for little blessings.
Fevers plague Jethenro as his defenses hover at 0. This is what keeps him in the hospital. We hope that this does not continue through the rest of this block (re-induction phase).
Prayers are deeply coveted.

Bone Marrow Donation

1. Jethenro will need a bone marrow transplant.

I have had many people ask about being tested to see if they may be a match for Jethenro in case a member of his immediate family are not a match.
The best way to do that is to go to "United Blood Services" near you and let them draw your blood for testing. Tell them you are wanting to donate to Jethenro if you happen to match his hla.
What is hla?  This is what needs to match for a successful bone marrow transplant. Blood type does not matter.

1. Human Leukocyte Antigens
2. A: Human Leukocyte Antigens are the human form of MHC and are proteins located on the surface of white blood cells and other tissues in the body. HLA antigens play an important role in the immune system's defense against invaders such as bacteria, viruses and parasites

Monday~day 1 of(15)

Jethenro spent 14 days in the hospital where he was diagnosed with relapse.  He spent one night at home, and spiked a fever of 101.3* the next morning.  Because of relapse he has been admitted to the ONC  hospital where the ONC team has most of their patients. His ANC is 0. WBC's are wiped out. It appears that he will be here a few days.  When his wbc's get so low he has a fever, and as long as he has a fever he will be in the hospital.
We have been in two different rooms in the PICU since he arrived yesterday afternoon, and it appears he will be transferred to yet another room on the regular ONC floor in a few hours. The ONC unit had been closed over the past week because there were no patients..

They gave me a real bed last night ~just like Jethenro's !
One of the 'little' blessings. 

Today...

Jethenro is still in hospital.  We are hoping he gets discharged today, but won't know until evening or night. He gets heavy chemo today, and because he had a reaction last time, he will be pre-medicated and watched closely.

'Mom' has not been updating here...but need to let you know if you have not heard already.  Jethenro was diagnosed with  relapse on June 7, 2014.  He has been in the hospital since then. Chemo begins all over again. Except this time we diligently search for a bone marrow match.  As soon as one is found, he will get the transplant and be able to stop chemo.  Please pray that one of his sisters is a match. I don't know if i will be able to keep updating on this blog.  There is no internet at the hospital and I am there 99% of the time. He may not get to come home for quite awhile.