Hematologist is "very happy with Eric's progress"

Hi everyone,
We've had a progressive Saturday here. Eric's numbers continue to improve. The hematologist said at 2:30pm today that he was very happy with Eric's progress. Eric hasn't needed blood products (red blood cells, platelets, or plasma) in over 12 hours. His body is holding its own.

Eric has one more chemo treatment scheduled for Sunday. The doctor expects Eric's cancerous cells to drop to the point (from 20,000 blasts today to 5,000 blasts) where they can begin phase two of the treatment mid-next week.

The primary objective today is to reduce the fluid his body is retaining. They have been pumping him with 6000 ml of fluid every day, and he is only getting rid of 2000 ml of fluid. Due to the fluid retention, his weight has gone up by 40 lbs. They know this because his bed can measure his weight. And yes, Eric has cankles. : ) For the first time in my life, I'm not the only one in my family that gains 40 lbs the week of Christmas.

Eric is still struggling to get enough oxygen. The doctors are now thinking that his lung inflammation (causing the breathing problems) is just a side effect of the excess fluid. The same swelling we are seeing in his feet and arms is also happening in his lungs. We hope that is true. Once the fluid retention is under control and breathing becomes easier, Eric can come off the ventilator. Which means he can wake up and talk to us.

Thank you to Louis & Vera Stumpf and Becky May for the cards. We received them yesterday and today.

Melissa is feeling better. She is trying to stay away from the hospital to protect Eric. I know it's really hard for her. Hopefully she is feeling well tomorrow and can come back.

Love,
Sara