This week was mostly just waiting for my counts to start climbing. We have yet to see that, but that is expected at this point in my healing journey. My care team informed me on average people engraft by day +18 and I am currently on day +13. 

My only setback so far has been an E Coli blood infection, causing fevers, chills, and tachycardia. My team was worried about my heart this week as it was struggling to keep up with my body’s demands. For instances my heart rate would jump into the 160’s just from standing up! I got lots of fluids to help keep me hydrated, and I also started 2 new antibiotics to kill the E. coli. 

My team told me its very common for this to happen because E. coli is a naturally occurring bacteria, but given I have no immune system to keep the numbers in check, it’s easy for it to overgrow and cause issues. 

I am grateful for my team here who is on constant watch and are observing me closely to ensure I have the best outcome. Besides that it’s been a low-key, boring week and I cannot wait to get out of this hospital. After 3 weeks I’m really over it and can’t wait to do the out patient visits instead of being inpatient! The countdown is on, and I am hoping to only be here for another week!