Every night, blood work is drawn and sent to the labs.  The blood counts are the best indicators to Rob’s recovery. For example, when he was at his lowest, the WBC (White Blood Cells) was 0.1.  

White blood counts is an indicator of how well your immune system is working. This is why they take so much precaution with visitors, food, masks, gowns, gloves, hand washing and hand foam.

As you can see from last night’s labs on the left picture above, there has been significant improvement from his lowest WBC point at 0.1 to last night’s count at 0.5!

On the right side, you’ll see tonight’s labs, which continue to show good improvement on the WBC!! The platelets likely dropped this evening due to the removal of the tri-port and the insertion of the PICC line. The nurse is pleased with how is labs look tonight.

Each night, we eagerly wait for the results to appear on the whiteboard, much like fans wait for the scores to appear on the scoreboard.

When Rob’s ANC reaches 500 for 3 days in a row, he will be ready for discharge.

Please pray for the ANC to reach 500!! Thank you for your prayers!!

Rob has had a great afternoon!

He has eaten more, and has walked several times since coming back from the tri-port removal and PICC line insertion.

Really big news–he is no longer attached to the pole!!! Of course, there is always a chance he may need fluids and have to go back on the pole. For now, however, he is pole free!!

Before Rob can be released, his ANC count has to be 500 for 3 days straight. We are looking forward to reaching day 1 of the 500 number! His labs are drawn nightly, and we usually have the results by 10 pm at the latest.

Please pray for these counts to go up, and for us to get good news on his numbers tonight!!

Thank you all so much for helping Rob Keep Pounding!! You are all the inspiration that has kept us going!! I’ll update once the numbers come in this evening. Thank you again!!!

UPDATE, 12:00-He is back from having the port removed and now has a PICC line in. All went well!! 🙂 Thank you so much for the texts, thoughts and prayers!!

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Hi Keep Pounding Rob team!

They are removing Rob’s tri-port now! It was supposed to removed a few weeks after discharge, but due to the clot, it is being taken out now.

I think they will be adding a PICC line in his arm, but will update for sure once he is back in the room.

The doctor was pleased with his progress this morning!

Thank you for thoughts and prayers! I will update as I learn more today.

Have a great Sunday, everyone!

As soon as Rob got the go ahead from the doctor today to walk again, he was ready to go! The 4B unit is so kind and encouraging! Whether you make it for a short walk or a long one, slow or fast, they celebrate you every step of the way!

Each foot sticker equals one walk, and after you get 10 foot stickers, you turn them in for a ribbon.

Day +10, and Rob has completed 35 walks!!!

#KeepWalking

#KeepPoundingRob

UPDATE, 9 pm: Great News! His platelet counts have come up high enough to proceed with tri-port removal! We are hoping it will be tomorrow or Monday. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!!!

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Rob’s MRI of the brain is CLEAR!! We just found out, and are very relieved!

The goal today is to raise his platelet count, enough where they can remove the tri-port today. The tri-port is close to his clot, so they want to remove it as soon as possible, without the risks associated with a low platelet count.

He did get the ok to resume some walking if he has someone with him, which is HUGE!!

Thank you, Keep Pounding Rob team for your thoughts and prayers!!!! Please keep them coming as we work towards having his port removed today if possible.

I’ll post updates throughout the day. Thank you again, Keep Pounding Rob team!!!

Hi Keep Pounding Rob team!

UPDATE: 7:45 pm, Friday night:

Rob had the MRI on his brain to rule out any bleeding, and we are waiting on the results. I’ll post as soon as we find out the results. He has an awesome night nurse, as usual, and is in excellent care.

The doctor wants Rob’s tri-port removed, due to the clot. They are waiting until Rob’s counts improve before he can do the procedure.

Rob’s color is looking better this evening!! 🙂 He had second round of platelets this afternoon.

As soon as know more, I will update. In the meantime, if you haven’t voted on the pole name, please do so! 🙂 #weekend entertainment.

Also, could ya’ll be thinking of some jokes (or funny you tube video links) to share? You can share on the blog, through text 704-301-2480, or to Rob at keeppoundingrob@gmail.com. We could use some laughter this weekend! 🙂 🙂

Thank you for your blog comments, texts, calls and e-mails!!! You are helping Rob to Keep Pounding each day!!

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Rob slept well, but is off to a very rough start this morning.

He has a clot near his tri-port, but thankfully, it isn’t fully blocked.  However, it is causing some swelling in his arm. Normally, the doctors give you anti-clotting medicine, but they can’t do that since he has no platelets.  They are keeping a close eye on it.

A brief recap from yesterday: He had two blood transfusions, and last night received platelets. They were hoping he would have more of a boost from this today, but that is not the case.  They are re-checking the platelet level now. 

Rob has had some mental confusion this morning. Based on that, plus the morning exam, they are ordering a ct scan of the brain. This is to rule out any bleeding that might be occurring in the brain.  

Keep Pounding Rob team, we could use your prayers, please!! Please pray for:

• A clean CT scan of the brain
• The clot to go away quickly
• For his counts to begin climbing again (we should start seeing this in a day or two, as this is par for the course)

I will update throughout the day. Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers!!!

#KeepPoundingRob!

Good news, Keep Pounding Rob team! No infection, so gowns and gloves are off. 😉 Masks remain through his stay.

We are waiting on the nightly lab results. Today and tomorrow are likely to be when his numbers are the lowest.

Rob’s two blood transfusions went well. He is still wiped out, but did manage to get a walk in!

In addition to waiting on the labs tonight, we are also waiting on the results of an ultrasound he had done today on his right arm. This is to rule out any clot or other complication, as it’s more swollen than his left arm. Hopefully, it’s just caused by fluid retention.

Your blog comments, texts, e-mails, cards and meals are so thoughtful and very much appreciated!! Thank you for your love and support!!

Hi Keep Pounding Rob team!

The rough side effects of high dose chemo have hit home, hard.

But the entire transplant team is phenomenal, and helping with anything and everything he needs.

He is currently getting a blood transfusion, which is a normal part of this process. They think this will help him get a little more “pep in his step” and hopefully help with the low blood pressure as well.

As a precaution, in addition to the regular masks that are worn in his room, gowns and gloves are now required. Once they rule out (hopefully) a possible infection, this restriction will be lifted, but the mask restriction of anyone coming in the room remains throughout his stay. If he does end up having an infection, they will be able to treat it right away.

Have I mentioned how amazing this team is?!!

I will update later today or this evening.

Thank you for being there, Keep Pounding Rob team!!!

Don’t you know I’m still standing better than I ever did
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
I’m still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life without CANCER on my mind!

Lyrics from the song: I’m Still Standing by Elton John.

Today, we heard a few songs by two talented musicians, with Levine Cancer Institute Music Therapy Services.

It’s no surprise that when they asked for song requests, the first song Rob requested was Carolina on my Mind by James Taylor!

They also sang “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John. The musician said it was a great fighter song for cancer survivors, and we couldn’t agree more! We made a slight change to the lyrics as you can see above.

Thank you all so much for helping Rob Keep Pounding–and Standing!!

Update: More contenders added! Thank you, Keep Pounding Rob team!! Ya’ll are the best!

Keep them coming in the blog comments, by text at 704-301-2480, or by e-mail (keeppoundingrob@gmail.com).

Being attached to the pole 24/7 (showers included) for the past 9 days, Rob has made friends with him.  

It’s only fitting his new friend “the pole” has a proper name, don’t you think?

That’s where you come in, Keep Pounding Rob team. Help us name his friend!

Here is an image of the pole, and a few images we think it sort of resembles:

Option One:

Option Two:

Option Three:

Option 4:

Option 5:

Option 6:

What other crazy images do ya’ll have that resemble the pole? Post in the comments, e-mail or send a text with your ideas. I’ll add them to the list, and then we can all vote on a name.

And yes, entertainment is limited while on the transplant floor…;)

e-mail: keeppoundingrob@gmail.com

text: 704-301-2480