Thursday, December 27, 2007

Going UP!

Day 35, Thursday, December 20
WBC 2.9 (4.0-11)
RBC 2.62 (3.8-5.2)
HGB 8.9 (11.5-15.5)
PLT 24 (150-350)

Day 42, Thursday, December 27
WBC 4.3 (4.0-11)
RBC 2.54 (3.8-5.2)
HGB 8.6 (11.5-15.5)
PLT 47 (150-350)

I'm normal! Well, at least my white blood counts are in the normal range. I'm even healthy enough to board a plane and am planning a trip to SF next week.

My red blood and hemoglobin counts took another baby step back, but I'm still able to do a lot with a little.

The best news is that the platelets rose from 24 to 47 without the help of a transfusion. I can't tell you how happy I am to be in the platelet production business.

Since it looks as though I'm out of the transfusion woods, I'm scheduled to have the surgeon remove my Hickman catheter in two weeks. I'll be wireless for the first time in nine months.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Maybe you can repurpose the catheter.

Break out a hot glue gun and some sequins and it could be a very cool Christmas ornament next year.

No? Okay, then drop kick that sucker on the CoH parking lot, then run over it with the Prius. Six or seven times. That'll work.

Susan C said...

Ha!

Like my dance partner, I have a love-hate relationship with my catheter. Decorate or destroy? Hmmm. . . that's a tough one!

My "mantle cell lymphoma mentor" is two YEARS out from his stem cell transplant. He kept his port because he was having maintenance Rituxin (a protocol that's been discontinued).

His doctor announced that she could remove the port, he asked, "Don't I still need to come in once a quarter for blood tests?" He opted to keep the port so that he never has to be poked with a needle. Yes, my mentor's a big wimp!

Nancy said...

Susan, Congrats on the rising counts!!! I still have my catheter in a ziploc bag, somewhere. Don't know why I kept it... seems silly, now. But, I can't seem to throw it away. I also have some of my beloved hospital bracelets... ughhh... It's not that I'm a packrat.. I think that someday I'll put together a scrapbook and use it for decor. But, I also like Paula's idea of running it over several times. Take care and wishing you all the health and happiness in 2008. love, nancy

Lilli said...

Awesome news!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Susan. Looking forward to your continued improvement - it was simply a matter of time - cheers! M&D

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