Finally Collecting..........................

After several weeks of waiting to see if Kancho's platelet count could rise to 75, the doctor decided to proceed with the Mozobil injection on 1/12/10 with his platelets at 50. Kancho was administered the Mozobil three nights in a row and collected for 4 hrs the following mornings. We were able to balance the crazy twice a day (8am and 9pm) hospital appointments along with Kylee's horse camp schedule with the help of my sister Robyn who came in town. By Friday, Kancho had collected 3 million stem cells, and the doctor wanted to stop collection efforts since Kancho was collecting less each additional day (means that the Mozobil had done all it can do to prompt stem cell release from the marrow). The Apheresis machines are very complex and quirky so the staff has assigned them nick names over the years. Kancho was hooked up to "Lucy" all three days he collected. The doctors desire collection of 3-5 million to move forward with the transplant, so we hope to hear this week about possible admission dates. Kylee continues to attend a girls horse camp where she is gaining confidence in riding and is able to get some peer socialization too. Kylee and I were able to go to a Team Roping Competition at the Raleigh Fairgrounds this past Sunday. She enjoyed watching the cattle release from the chute before being roped by the team of riders!

Luv,

Ali, Kancho and Kylee