After a few days home with no extra treatments or tests it was back to the Cancer Clinic today. First order of business was to take blood for the various tests that are needed. My blood counts came back quite good. White counts up to 9 and neutrophils to 7.5! Those numbers had me a little concerned, going to go high again? The doctor said they are not my old cancerous cells but the donor cells, and I need not be concerned this is good, all the numbers will straighten out in time. That was a good relief. Hemoglobin had a good jump from Friday's transfusion and seems to be well on the way to normal. Platelets are at 20, so still have a long way to go. So no transfusions needed and plans are being made to take my Hickman Central Line out, which is good, they don't expect a great need for it going ahead.
We spent some time talking about GVHD (Graft versus Host Disease). There are two doctors in charge of the stem cell transplant unit here in London, and the doctor I had today was not my regular one. His take on GVHD is a little different than my doctor's. If I could go through this whole process without it, I would be better off for it. He said the clinic is full today of people with GVHD and we are trying to manage the disease. My doctor had said two interesting things well before the transplant and I believe I have mentioned them both: 1. We are replacing your CMML with GVHD. 2. A little GVHD is good for developing your new immune system and it could find remaining cancer cells and kill them. The doctor today maintains that there is no such thing as good GVHD. It comes hard, attacks hard, and can give some very poor results, easily the biggest issue of the whole transplant. When or if it hits me, I will know it and will be calling them. We are thankful for clear days!! I was taken off some drugs and given others to help protect my body from GVHD.
Prayer Requests.
1. Today was a good reminder of how well I am doing, and praise God for that.
2. That we may live daily in the peace of mind of being safely in our Lord's care.
3. That engraftment continues and finds the normal range.
4. For protection from GVHD.
A text shown me today via Denise Clark. May the Lord protect your loved ones as well!
Isaiah 41:10
"Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God,
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous hand."
2 comments:
Thanks as always for taking the time to update so faithfully.
What a nice surprise to see some of those numbers climb up. Weren't the white blood cells supposed to drop without the neupogen shot?
Regardless, it sounds like things are remaining stable and that is a wonderful blessing to be sure.
It must be a little frustrating to hear opposite opinions from the experts on things like GVHD but thankfully there is no decision to be made about getting it or not:it truly is all in His Hands. Wishing you a good night's sleep.
The vanB's
Hi Richard,
So wonderful to hear you are home! That your numbers are doing nicely, all things considered! And the wonderful work of the Lord, always looking after those who trust in Him!
Thank you so much for the updates! I had been reading them daily until this last week, did some catching up, and love that picture of you! Looking good!! :)
I know that your faith in Him will continue to sustain you and your family, and I rejoice in that! He is truly a wonderful Lord! May He continue to bless you and yours with His presence, His comfort, His peace.........
always.......
Deka
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