Day 305 - Little setback...

Ryan's liver numbers are still a bit high.  With the transplant, we are always a bit more cautious about his liver, so we called the transplant team to check with them.  While they said that the numbers are not high enough to postpone the chemo this week, they are a little concerned.

So, tomorrow Ryan will get his spinal tap.  When he is under anesthesia, the doctors will thread a catheter to his liver and do a quick biopsy.  They just want to make sure there is no rejection (agg, the dreaded 'r' word...)  I was a little creeped out when they said the safest way to get a biopsy is to thread the catheter from his jugular (in his neck), down the main vein (superior vena cava) and down into the liver (through the inferior vena cava)... So awesome and yet, kinda creepy.  Apparently, it is much safer than just cutting open his abdomen (yes, I'm kidding... no cutting today)

Patrick and I were both pleased that the doctors are taking his liver numbers seriously.  I realize they are not as high as other patients, but with Ryan, we are always a bit paranoid.  The 'liver' doctors today said they were shocked that his numbers weren't higher.  I guess that's a good thing?

So, we get the spinal tap tomorrow, and then start the high dose chemo on Wednesday.  This one also freaks me out, since the procedure is to give him a really high dose, and then follow it with the antidote (they call it 'rescue medicine') about a day later.  They will obviously be watching him closely, and he has tolerated this med really well in the last few phases.  But, it still makes me nervous.  I'm sure I'll feel better by Friday, when we have gotten through the first dose without any complications.. (knock on wood!)

Thank you all for the continued prayers and good thoughts!