Day + 7 presented a nosebleed which is pretty common given 1) very low platelet counts (which is normal for stem cell transplant patients Day +7, pre-engraftment) and 2) dry air of the Stem Cell Unit. Sam’s nose bled — in the same amount that yours or mine would — except that it was for 8 hours.  

So he got a platelet transfusion last night.

His nose was still bleeding this morning but only one nostril this time! Progress! But they decided to give him another bag-o-platelets just to make sure. We learned that it’s better *not* to stuff Kleenex up your nose when you have a nosebleed and have low platelets because it just dislodges all the effort that the platelets were working so hard to establish. Counterproductive. Lesson learned 👍🏼 (I think? He is, afterall, a teenager 😬).

He’s happily showered and playing Overwatch and I’m sitting here writing to you all. John will come over in a bit and hopefully Zack will get to visit this weekend.

another notable milestone from yesterday: his curls started falling out.

The optimist in me thinks “I can’t wait to see what his hair does next!” The other side will miss his curls (but maybe they’ll be back? )

#FULeukemia

#LetsGoStemCells

#TeamSamStrong