[Paulag]

I just wanted to give a quick update. My husband had his DLI on June 13. He was given a small amount and the rest is frozen in case he needs more at a later time. He started showing signs of GVHD on July 7--very slight rash and slightly elevated liver numbers (ALT, AST). Rash increased--Dr. called it "stage 1" and gave him prednisone. Rash cleared up quickly, they are tapering prednisone and liver numbers heading towards normal range. Prior to this, all of his counts low--WBC bounced between 1-2, HCT down to 22--getting two units every 10days, platelets 8-12 (but clotting fine).
Since last Wednesday, his whites started increasing and now in the normal range (5.5) reds holding since last transfusion two weeks ago (HCT 29), platelets still low, but holding (12-15.) Chimerism has donor at 49% (was 14% on July 2) so we are making progress. Continuing to reduce prednisone. We don't have to go back for check up for 10 days. Slow and steady-- headed in right direction.
On another note, July 16 was one year and under ordinary circumstances we would have been able to make contact with his donor (if she agreed). Since he asked for a second donation before one year, we need to wait another 60 days. We owe her a double thank you!!