Post-transplant Day 27 (10/12/2006)

Charley woke up extremely tired for two reasons: i) his body was working so hard in “manufacturing” blood cells and in “healing” the mucositis, and ii) having morphine withdrawal (according to Dr. Lehmann, Medical Director, Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Unit). Morphine did help Charley bear a lot of pain. However, as the first day of discontinuing morphine, Charley had nausea and vomiting. Musicians played with Charley with an electronic piano.

It began with teaching a Japanese kids song. Then, Charley loved playing piano with the pianist.

Charley loves his parents and prayed for mommy before going to sleep, “Dear Lord Jesus, please heal mommy so she won’t have headache when she wakes up”.

Post-transplant Day 26 (10/11/2006)

Charley's WBC increased from 340 to 610 with neutrophil of 200. The doctors and nurses started to orient parents in terms of post-discharge practice. This is a great day to all of us who love Charley. Thanks to our almighty and merciful Lord. Charley began with an extreme joyful spirit. He picked out his favorite clothes.

He cried out “I will not have leukemia anymore” as he was washing his face. When he walked along the hallway, people cheered up him and praised him "handsome Charley"!! Hopefully his appetite comes back so he can be discharged as expected. Deborah and Nehemiah were relieved to a certain degree. We want to say "Thank you all for your kind support and faithful intercession".

Post-transplant Day 25(10/10/2006)

Charley has not had a fever since yesterday afternoon. Daddy brought Charley's favorite moon cake and cookies. We had a late Mid-Autumn Festival celebration at his bedside. Charley enjoys red bean cake with a sweet smile.

We are so happy to see his lips are freshly cleaned from ulcer and blood clots. This is really a new creation and whoever saw the contrast could testify the amazing achievement of newly implanted marrow.

Post-transplant Day 21 (10/6/06)

Charley’s new bone marrow growth keeps showing some early signs although his white blood count is still low (120). He has a fever, reaching to 39.3 this morning while he receives a combination of 5 antibiotics. Doctors are working on it. Another encouraging sign is that Charley's mouth ulcer is in improvement since yesterday. Both the hospital and church pastor came to visit us. The teacher resumed the tutoring yesterday. Charley enjoys the class. We also received a package of learning kits and parents' user guide from Charley's kindergarten. Prayer request: 1. Bone marrow grows smoothly 2. Give doctor wisdom to find cause of fever and treat it effectively

Post-transplant day 19 (10/04/06) -- The Valley of the Shadow of Death

Today, Charley woke up at 7 am for a bowl movement which he did not have for several days. The medical team was happy. His mouth sore and occasional bleeding still bother him a lot. Charley had a nose bleed while taking a shower so he got a platelet transfusion. Meanwhile, Charley's temp. was elevated to 38.4. Without modifing the antibiotics regimen, his fever was gone in the afternoon. The doctor thinks the improvement of his anal ulcer is the early functioning sign of new bone marrow. However, today's fever may delay the further function of bone marrow a little while. Overall, Charley has done his best to keep up routine activity in painting, walking and playing puzzles.

The volunteer program is outstanding and plausible. Charley is relatively weak today so he took a nap. In this morning, a nursing student came to paint with Charley. In the afternoon, a biochem majoring student-volunteer from Harvard University played with Charley both ain the toyroom and the bedside. He also shared that he is co-organizing a marrow drive at his school and aiming for minorities in the new semester. He was so pleased when he heard Quincy Chinese Church of Nazarene will have a drive on November 18.

We are doing the best to comfort Charley. Hopefully, FAITH, HOPE and LOVE carry him through the valley of shadow of the death. We pray for the smooth growing of new bone marrow toward the weekend.