Further results of the bone marrow biopsy came in yesterday with Chimerism testing showing 100% donor cells in my bone marrow. Hide nor hair or my cells were not detectable. The nurses and doctors are impressed. "Does this mean that my changes of Graft Vs. Host Disease are lessened?" I asked. "No," came the reply. We still have GVHD to look forward to in whatever form it shall manifest.
My lumbar puncture (spinal tap with chemo flushed into the spinal fluid surrounding brain) was scheduled for Friday, June 18 and now postponed until the following week because my blood counts are not "robust" enough. The methotrexate chemo pushed into the spinal fluid has a tendency to subdue blood counts so the plan is to wait until my counts are better before introducing more poison. O.K. by me. I hate lumbar punctures! Before they let me out of here, I understand that I will endure six of the lumbar punctures -- just for good measure. Hang in here Fons!
My white blood count is 1.72 thou/uL. Normal is 4.3-10.00 My platelet Count is 59 thou/uL. Normal is 150 - 400. Neutrophils is 0.78. Normal is 1.80 -7.00. the neutophil number is what is looked at to notice engraftment. Remember the 500 magic number. 500 being sign of engraftment. We are now at 780. Slow but so far sure.
Please continue us in prayer.
4 years ago
Dear Valerie,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Jean and I’m a volunteer with the National Bone Marrow Transplant Link. Our organization helps patients, caregivers, and families cope with the social and emotional challenges of transplant from diagnosis through survivorship by providing vital information and personalized support services. We subscribe to Google blog alerts, where we found your story.
Please know that others are thinking of you and pulling for you! To learn more about our programs and services, you may visit www.nbmtlink.org or call 800-546-5268.
All the best!
P.S. I’d like to offer you a copy of our award-winning Caregivers’ Guide for BMT: Practical Perspectives if you send your mailing address to me at jeansjones@gmail.com.