R is still at the University of Washington Medical Center. He’ll be here at least through Monday. His transplant has been postponed, tentatively, by 2 weeks.

After all kinds of tests and theories, it’s still not completely clear what’s caused all of his recent medical symptoms/problems. He’s had erratic body temperatures, often over 101, which they can control with Tylenol. They’re testing for infectious diseases and giving him broad-spectrum antibiotics just in case, but nothing has turned up yet. It’s been a process of elimination without a conclusion.

His abdomen has swollen to the size of a medium watermelon. It looked larger than normal before because of his enlarged spleen but it’s gotten even larger and very tender especially when doctors push on it! They discovered some blood in his abdominal cavity suggesting that his spleen is “leaking,” not unheard of with it being as swollen as it is. He has an almost constant headache. Last night he had extreme night sweats, a hallmark symptom of myelofibrosis but one he hasn’t experienced before. His blood pressure has stabilized, thankfully.

Lab results and indicators from his bone marrow biopsy show that his cancer is progressing more rapidly. It’s a good thing he’s going to have a transplant soon.

The donor program folks are asking the stem cell donor if his schedule can be delayed. Normally, the donor has injections for 5 days beforehand to stimulate stem cell growth and move the cells from the marrow into the bloodstream. On the 6th day, the stem cells are collected, through a line in the arm, similar to a blood donation process.

If R’s donor cannot postpone, they will collect his cells and freeze them until R’s transplant takes place.

In the meantime, thank you, thank you for your words of support, prayers and well-wishes. We’ve had an amazing team at Fred Hutch caring for R and feel the love of you all wrapped around us.