May 11, 2022 Update - DAY 7

 

Thanks for tuning again.  

My apologies for being a day late, hopefully I am not a dollar short.

Jackie has had some really amazing days this week.  She has been progressively feeling better in many ways and even had a great appetite yesterday.  She is getting plenty of laps around the unit in with Joanne and sometimes me 😉.  Not sure if we covered this, but 13 laps of the unit equates to 1 km.

As Katie said, "waffle sticks! You get waffle sticks?!"

They are still running several different tests to make sure she isn't developing any kind of an infection.  Given her history of Crohn's, they want to be extra proactive when it comes to that.  With no immune system, Jackie's body has no defense against infection so any treatments would need to happen early.

The care team is also monitoring Jackie's cell levels in her blood.  As mentioned previously, her body is now removing the old cells and it is expected to see these levels drop while we are waiting for the new cells to plant and develop.  Jackie's platelets and hemoglobin levels did drop to a point where she needed treatment.  We will keep the cellular anatomy lesson brief, but platelets are needed for clotting and hemoglobin (found on red blood cells) is critical in the transfer of oxygen to the body.

The bag that looks like a tequila sunrise, is a unit of platelets.


And a quick chaser of a unit of red cells.

A normal platelet count should be in the range of 150 - 450.  Yesterday morning she was at 9.  No, I am not missing a number.  A normal hemoglobin will range from 120 to 180 and Jackie was at 63.  As you can imagine, these treatments are critical for Jackie (and many other people).  These are not synthetic or manufactured.  These blood components are donated.  Given by random people.  

I am sure we have all heard the commercials for Canadian Blood Services.  They change it up over the years but it is usually something to the effect of "give blood, save a life", "blood is Canada's lifeline", etc. Pretty straight forward but kind of abstract unless you or someone you know has needed blood.  

Jackie definitely needed platelets and red blood cells.  It is really easy for us to take things like this for granted.  But if what the hospital didn't have that or access to it in a timely manor?  What if?  I don't know, but I can say it is good Jackie did have access to that.  Without donors, she wouldn't have.

To learn more about donating, you can access the Canadian Blood Services website by following this link.

 Canadian Blood Services


Thanks for reading

Mike

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 11, 2022 at 2:42 PM

    Hello. It is so good to see you smiling Jackie. I so appreciate all the tidbits of information that you are sharing and explaining Mike. I am so glad that Joanne is able to be there as well.
    Love you both.
    Continuing to pray for strength for Jackie. For wisdom for Dr's and renewable strength for Mike and Joanne to be able walk along side the families and Jackie.
    Looking forward to the next update of good news.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 11, 2022 at 9:42 PM

    Great news! Yep we are so thankful for the donors!!!! Keep on walking and enjoying those moments Mike, Joanne and Jackie - 🤗🤗. ❤️CM

    ReplyDelete
  3. SharidactylMay 12, 2022 at 6:58 AM

    Yitzik and I are booked for donation on Saturday am! Sending love and platelets...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MikeMay 12, 2022 at 9:17 AM

      That’s awesome!! Let’s start a trend!

      Delete
  4. AnonymousMay 12, 2022 at 7:19 AM

    For you and for many others is why I’m a regular blood donor, I hope a few more people will consider giving this special gift. Love you guys.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jeff BrinkerMay 12, 2022 at 9:07 AM

    I will never get tired of photos of Jackie's smile!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Michele WardMay 12, 2022 at 12:02 PM

    Thanks for the update. One of the things I love about Jackie is her smile and enthusiasm. I haven't donated blood in a long time so will get on that in the immediate future.

    ReplyDelete
  7. LenellMay 12, 2022 at 12:09 PM

    Nice! Keep it up Team Jackie! :D Michael and I donated blood this year as part of a rugby team event. My first time in forever and his first time ever. Helps those in need and it's a free biohack too!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nigel BauerMay 12, 2022 at 1:05 PM

    I will donate as soon as I am able to again.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousMay 12, 2022 at 6:21 PM

    Thank you for all of the updates, and the beautiful smile pictures. Sending lots of love and hugs 💕

    ReplyDelete
  10. KhonaMay 13, 2022 at 7:15 AM

    Looking good Jackie!

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousMay 13, 2022 at 3:07 PM

    Hello friends! I’m a hop, skip & a jump away if you need anything - sending love & big hugs your way ❤️

    ReplyDelete

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