Even more good news!

Kari, the Nurse Practitioner overseeing my case and one of the hematologists just came in to give us the latest update on my progress. Although my ANC (Absolute Neutrophil Count) is down a little this morning, my platelets are roaring back. Two days ago they were at 10 for two days in a row. Yesterday they jumped to 14 and today they jumped again to 25. This is apparently the "exponential" increase that one of the nurses mentioned several days ago. 

So, what does all of this mean in practical terms? If the trend continues, Kari said she is looking at discharging me late this week or more likely early next week. She wants my platelets at 100 and my ANC at 1000. She has ordered the next bone marrow biopsy, which will be done on an outpatient basis in Salem in early August. I am to expect a call soon to schedule that. After the biopsy results are in, I will return to Club Sunnyside for a week for "consolidation" chemotherapy, and then return home again. 

That light at the end of the tunnel I see is apparently real! I won't be "cured"  when I go home, but I will be stable enough to be more independent and live at home. The long term picture is likely to involve repeats of the week at a time chemotherapy sessions for six months to a year. I don't know how frequently they will occur. In an interesting turn of events, the hematologist I will be seeing in Salem after I return home is Dr. Waugh. I have met her. She is very informative and personable and comes highly recommended. 

So, now I have some tangible stuff to hang onto looking into the very near future, and that is a comfort. Part of the difficulty with my stay here at the Club has been the not knowing how much longer I will be here. This proposed release time is earlier than I expected, and to be fair if the lab numbers don't develop as expected, I could be here longer. Nevertheless, this news was a big morale booster. Not that my morale has been down. It's just nice to have a more specific target. 

Isaiah 49:13
Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.

Comments

  1. PapaAlanJuly 20, 2021 at 12:02 PM

    That’s great news Tom! Praise God. The birthday gifts just keep pouring in. Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bob SJuly 20, 2021 at 10:57 PM

    God is good and you are a real fighter Tom. Such great news!!! Can't wait until you can come home and be with your sweetie there.

    Donalynn :-)

    ReplyDelete

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