DAY 42 and
DAY 43

Brendan has continued to show us that his marrow is continuing to grow and make new cells. Cell regrowth from cord blood is notoriously slow and Brendan is proving the literature correct. He is still struggling with fevers. They are relentless. The fevers are really getting us all down. Brendan is really struggling. He is very down and seems very sad to me. We all miss his laugh. The fevers take away any opportunities he has to enjoy himself. The thoughts the doctors have had is that Brendan could be having fevers from a drug reaction. They have listed off about 5 possible causes - the best being the drug reaction and the worst being the return of the leukaemia. Unfortunately, the drug that could be causing the fevers is important in ensuring that Brendan's blood cell development continues on an upward trend. Without this drug, his cell counts would drop dramatically.

Brendan's nasogastric tube has had to be replaced as he is becoming malnourished. He has tried really hard to eat and drink enough so that it did not need to be replaced. He also needs the nutrition to help him feel stronger which will also help him feel better. Tomorrow he will have his first outing from the room that does not involve a medical test in another part of the hospital. Brendan will have some time outside on the ward balcony with his family. He has been in the transplant room for over 2 months and has been in hospital for 4 months with only about 3 days at home during that time.

Brendan's hair is now falling out weeks after his chemo and radiation. Replacing it is very thick black hair. His eyebrows are about twice their normal size. Brendan will become very hairy. The hair is due to an anti-rejection drug and will fall out once the drug has ceased. He will then get his post treatment hair. It is anybody's guess as to what it will look like. His eyelashes are growing back and seem to be growing overnight. They are growing a lot faster than the hair on his head.

For the next few days we need to try and pull Brendan out of his depression. The last few days have felt like he doesn't want to do this anymore. We need to help him find some of his amazing energy to take on and combat anything that gets thrown at him.

Love to everyone from a very tired and worn out Anna.

Day 43

This morning Brendan got dressed for the first time in many weeks. He walked to the ward verandah and had a KFC lunch with Mum, Dad, Kieran and Tara. Brendan requested KFC. He ate a good lunch. Overall, his day has been better. He has been introduced to a nutrient rich drink called a "moo shake". The shake and nasogastric feeds will be enough to give him his daily calorie count. Any other food he eats is a bonus.

The doctors are reducing the drug that may be causing his fevers. I also have requested that we give Brendan Panadol before the fevers get too high. We know that he has fevers and that they are not stopping. The fevers are really wearing him out. He needs a day without feeling terrible for most of the day. Brendan is sounding a little brighter today. He had a large dose of red cells this morning and is talking a lot more than he has in days. Lets all hope for some happier days for Brendan.

Love Anna