Days +327 to +333: A Good Week

We finally have good news to report this week. First, Ezra's counts were great. His hemoglobin was normal and one of the measures of red blood cell destruction was also completely normal for the first time since he developed the antibodies. Second, the latest test of the strength of the red blood cell antibodies came back negative, showing no antibodies. Huh? Yep. This happened once before when he tested negative for the antibody and then two weeks later tested positive again. The doctor explained that the antibodies are probably there, but not at measurable levels at the moment. The flare-up that Ezra has been experiencing over the past three weeks was likely caused by a combination of the rhinovirus and the decrease in the steroids. Whatever it is, and even if the test comes back positive again two weeks from now, it is certainly good to have a period of calm and healing. 

Even more surprising - Ezra's T cells went up! They are back to where they were in May when they first dropped. The level is still far from where it was before he went on steroids at the end of February and still very far from where he needs to be, but he is headed in the right direction. Ezra's doctor was very surprised at this increase. She did not expect a T cell increase with the current steroid dose. That's Ezra for you - always doing things his own way. 

The question is - can he keep these T cells or is he going to lose them again because of the steroids? The doctor thinks he will keep them provided we are able to continue weaning the steroids. Despite all this good news, the doctor lowered the steroid dose only by the smallest of increments again this week. She is proceeding with caution for now to avoid another flare up. So it remains to be seen if Ezra will be able to maintain this T cell progress. 

By now we know all too well that we can lose this progress as quickly as we gained it. There have been way too many ups and downs on this journey for us to feel like Ezra is at all safe. Despite the number of times we've been knocked down, we are still managing to feel optimistic from these latest numbers. A little hope goes a long way. 

The other exciting news of the week is that Ezra had his first day of school in school! Ezra's teachers came up with the great idea of having Ezra do his home schooling at one of the schools that is closed for the summer so that he can get a sense of what it is like to sit in a classroom and what a school looks like. They had one of the preschool rooms thoroughly cleaned, air conditioners cleared out, and a sign hung on the door welcoming Ezra to school. The look on his face when his teachers told him that he was going to the school was indescribable. He was just so happy. 

Class started with the Pledge of Allegiance. Ezra was very taken by the smart board in the classroom. He was so focused on his school work - it was amazing to see. He will continue to go to the school once a week for the summer. We are very grateful for the creativity and determination of his teachers who arranged for this incredible opportunity. Our hope is that when the day comes for him to attend "real" school with other children that he will be as excited and happy to attend as he is with his class of one.