13 months and 15 days Post Transplant
Arrived NYC 5/6/04
Admitted MSKCC 8/12/04
Transplanted 8/20/04
Discharged MSKCC 9/22/04
COUNTS 9/10/05 (NORMAL)
WBC 8 (4-11)
Hgb 8.5 (13-17)
platelets ?? (160-400)
ANC ?? (1.5-8.8)
Fatma recently had PFTs (Pulmonary Function Tests). We are still awaiting results of this test.
She also saw the dentist because of bleeding of her gums. He said her gums need to be massaged. He also said she has a lot of fluoride and that's the reason for the white spots on her teeth.
Fatma also saw the eye specialist because her left eye tears a lot. He said she must use fake tear drops. He also sent an email to Dr. Boulad stating that Fatma may need corrective surgery.
She also saw an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat doctor) for her sinuses (post nasal drip). He gave Fatma a medicine, but we need to ask Dr. Boulad first if it's ok to use it. She will return for a follow-up 6 months from now.
Fatma also saw an audiologist because her ears have been very dry. She had a hearing exam which was normal.
Tomorrow Fatma goes for an echocardiogram. I'm not sure why.
The white spots on her body are spreading (they started out on the neck and stomach and have spread to her entire body, including her face). Dr. Boulad says this is normal for FA kids, but I don't understand this. Dr. Small says these are not normal. They are going to do further testing to determine what this is.
Her immune function studies are still low, but I don't know the exact numbers. Fatma cannot be vaccinated until her numbers are 'half-way'. (Having been transplanted, she now has the immune system of a baby and must get all of her 'baby shots' again.)
Fatma is doing well. She still has nausea everyday inspite of the Zofran. She also still has stomach pain everyday for which she takes Protonix. She started school 3 weeks ago. She likes it, but she tires easily.
Fatma turned 8 on September 9. She felt very special with everyone singing 'happy birthday' to her. She said she never knew anyone to have so many people sing to them.
Fatma's brothers, Hisham, who is 3 years 7 months, started pre-school 3 weeks ago. He loves it. He goes 8am -3:30pm everyday.
I'm taking an English class on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30am-1:30pm (grammar, reading, speaking) and on Fridays from 2:30 -4:00 (listening and conversation). Everyone is from another country (Italy, Spain, Algeria, etc.) I love to go to the class.
Issak is feeling sick all the time. He doesn't want to talk with anyone. He just stays inside the room all the time. He's sick, but he can fuss!! *laughing*
We're sick of being here. I want to go home, but we must stay because of our daughter.
Thanks for checking in on Fatma.
~Zaitoon
