Post-transplant Day 40(10/25/06)

Charley was in the emergency room at University of Massachusetts Hospital, nearby our house, last night due to high blood pressure. Charley waited for 9 hours to receive the first dose of a hypertension pill. What patience we needed at the emergency room! Doctors decided to put Charley in the pediatric ward since the first drug did not work overnight. The protection at UMASS pediatric ward is not as comprehensive as the bone marrow transplant unit at Children Hospital because no bone marrow transplant program is available for pediatrics. This worried us a little.

Although his parents were exhausted, when we watched Charley having a good time playing with the magician/clown who represents Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Connecticut, our tiredness got released (see picture). It is a free summer camp, founded by actor Paul Newman, specifically for children with cancer and/or serious blood diseases. We wish this charity organization has vision to extend the service to China.

The second drug improved some but the outcome was not stabilized. The decision made by both hospitals’ teams was for Charley to be discharged in the afternoon and go to Dana-Farber clinic the next morning.