Maggie didn’t get a platelet transfusion today for the third day running. That’s great news for a couple of reasons.

First, platelets are one of the last types of blood cells to engraft, typically. So this a great sign of engraftment progress in general. Her platelet count was 32 in the morning yesterday and 28 this morning with nothing added in between. A decline that small over a day can pretty much only mean that her body is producing her own platelets. Not yet fast enough to replace what is used on a daily basis, but much closer.

Second, platelet transfusions are one of the main things that keep Maggie going back the hospital several times a week. Getting off of them means getting some more daily freedom back.

Here’s Maggie in the clinic testing the stretchiness of a rubber glove