Usually when a test comes back normal it isn't interesting, but in this case it is. Previous tests had showed that Eric had a low number of foxp3 cells in his blood. (not enough sergeants) This is usually caused by a serious problem in the immune system. The doctors now think, in Eric's case, it was caused by the foxp3 positve cells gathering in his gut since that is where war was being fought. So this tells us that Eric's condition is probably not IPEX-like but some other less severe auto-immune enteropathy.
On Tuesday, they are going to do another upper endoscopy. This is the best way for them to see how well Eric's intestines have healed. We are hopeful that the scope will show that Eric is healthy enough to start eating again. This will also indicate that the current regiment of drugs that Eric is on is effectively treating him.
So, if the test results are good, a bone marrow transplant won't be immediately necessary. This means that after Eric is eating and stabile, we might be able to go back to Omaha and continue his treatment there.
If you're reading this on blogspot.com, you will notice on the right that I added a way to subscribe to email delivery of this blog. If you enter your email and then follow the directions, you will get an email at breakfast time of everything I posted the day before. You will not get emails on days I don't post anything. This is just an extra option for people that prefer a daily email. The rest of you can visit this blog the same way you already do.
-dk (via cell phone)
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