Friday

The doctors tried a different medication Wednesday and yesterday Trent's rash looked much better.
This medicine is not steroids and is a antibody.
They were going to start reducing the steroids yesterday, which is a good sign.
Please pray that the rash will be gone soon and Trent can go home!

Christmas Eve

The Koontz's wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!
Thanks for all your prayers! They work!

Monday

Trent is doing good, but still on the IV steroids.
Looks like we'll be having Christmas at CHOC. We have been so blessed, so not going to start complaining. We have so much to be thankful for!
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!
Have a very merry Christmas and may God bless your new year!

Friday

Trent is still dealing with GVH rash. He is back on IV steroids and is doing better.
He is feeling good and eating good, but the rash is just hanging on.
Trent will need to be on oral steroids and watched for a couple of days before release.
Please pray for the GVH rash to clear up so he can come home for Christmas.

Wednesday

The doctors are still watching the rash and adjusting steroids.
They are also watching hydration/electrolyte levels.
The doctors are delaying the release until they are happy with all the above.

Sunday

Trent has been doing very well this week.
The doctors are just watching the rash and trying to decide when to reduce the steroids.
I believe they were going to try and reduce steroids last night.
They will watch for a day or two after reduction to make sure the rash does not come back and then they can release Trent from CHOC.
The rash is the Graft-versus-host condition between the new blood and old.

Saturday

Trent's condition is doing very good under the steroids. The rashes are almost gone and the redness/dryness of his face is almost gone as well. This is what the doctors were hoping for.
He is eating more and he is walking.
We are getting hints that they will probably release Trent within the next week.
He needs to get to the point where he is drinking all his fluids versus IV, eating better and going from IV steroids to oral form, then the doctors will release him.
Please pray that this transplant has done what is needed and the cancer is gone.

Tuesday

Trent's swelling is almost all gone, but his skin rash is still active.
Steroids have helped with the swelling and doctors say this is the treatment for the rash as well.
Trent's face is red and dry, which is irritating.
These are all part of the Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). 
Even though GVHD sounds bad, doctors say it have some very positive results. GVHD will hunt down and kill any remaining cancer cells.

Sunday

Trent has had some swelling of the face and rashes on the skin which turns out to be Graft-versus-host disease. Doctors have treated this with steroids which has reduced the swelling.
He is eating OK, but not a lot.
After a month in the hospital, Trent is tired of being treated, measured, monitored, isolated and diagnosed.
Please pray that Trent finds some peace in all the challenges that come from hospital care.