How?! Today, I was informed I tested positive for Covid! How?? This is after I had tested negative for Covid two separate times on entry for the stem cell transplant. Here is the simple answer. When the white blood cells start dying due to the potent chemo one receives for the transplant, the white blood cell count drops steadily and significantly, exposing any deep-seated virus/viruses. My labs exposed that hidden particle of virus. My doctors are clear—I DO NOT HAVE COVID, AND I AM NOT CONTAGIOUS! However, due to Center for Disease Control guidelines, I must be quarantined. To say that my doctors are displeased is an understatement! Here is the technical description from my hospital MyChart: “positive results…may be caused by residual viral nucleic acid fragments persisting in the upper respiratory tract, subgenomic particles, or other factors associated with noninfectious virus.”

So what does quarantine in an isolation hospital floor look like? Yes, you got that right–I went from isolation to quarantine within isolation! Is there any other possible way to get me further removed from humanity??! Kathy and I were moved from our spacious room all decorated and set up for our stay into a much smaller room on the same floor. We will now be “cozy” and we will survive. Kathy is already busy fixing it up and it looks wonderful. This room has an outer room before the hallway, really isolating us. That room is forbidden to me. So, no more walking in the hallways (I was over 2 miles daily in laps prior). Kathy has limited ability to leave. The good news is that since she cannot use my restroom, her restroom is now much closer than before. We also have a great view over the beautiful Houston Medical Center. I must remain quarantined for the duration of my stay. Unfortunately for the staff, they must take extra precautions in visiting me.

My doctor today suggested baby food as my numbers fall towards zero (a good thing). My digestive system is being stripped. Soft foods are better at preventing severe diarrhea. Our wonderful Salem Life Group provided bonafide baby foods off the grocery store shelf and delivered them. The hospital kitchen is pureeing my meals as well. This will probably last for several days.

About my white blood cell numbers. The chemo killed the bad white cells with a defective protein that attacked my bone marrow. When I entered the hospital my white blood cell count was 8.7. The goal is to get it as close to 0.1 as possible. It is now at 1.17 and falling. Once it falls below 0.99 the good stem cells (with good white blood cells) harvested from my body after over six months of immunomonoclonal targeted therapy can begin to replant and reproduce in my bone marrow. The purpose of the stem cell transplant is to give me more good years in the future, not tied down to weekly infusions of drugs that limit my mobility. I will be on a maintenance drug, probably a pill, not yet determined. As always, they remind me that they will not be able to kill all the bad protein and at some point multiple myeloma will actively return. God willing, this stem cell transplant will buy me more years of productive living.

Romans 8:28 – “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good,

for those who are called according to His purpose.”

Praise Report: My numbers are falling appropriately. Cardiologists report my heart is in good shape. (I anticipate getting my monitor taken off tomorrow.)

Prayer Request: Numbers fall as low as possible. Good stem cells be super-charged to replant and reproduce (a several days’ process).