Day 228 BMT 18

Well, we are in a new room. We were told yesterday that they needed Rita's bed for a new transplant patient that was coming in on 5 East. When that happens, they take only the patients that are doing well and move them to their step down unit on 6 North. Our NP Pam said that since Rita was the gold star patient on 5 East, we would have to move. We moved yesterday afternoon to room 17 on 6 North. The room is smaller but hopefully we will only be here for a few days. They still keep saying that Rita will be able to go over the the hotel sometime this week.

Rita's numbers continue to improve on a day to day basis. The first opportunity to officially determine if the graft is working will be when they do another bone marrow biopsy on day 30. We look forward to receiving good news at that time.

Since Rita is doing so well, Amy will be coming out Monday evening and I have a conference to attend here in Buffalo on Tuesday and Wednesday. Then, Wednesday evening I will go back home and go to work on Thursday and Friday returning to Buffalo Friday afternoon. While there is always the chance that a complication could arise, we are hopeful that Rita will continue to be "the best patient ever" as she says.

So, so long for now - Rita & Dave