Yesterday we went down to La Jolla for my monthly visit to Dr. Kipps to check on how I am doing. According to the good doctor I am doing fine. There are some issues that he can't explain, like why my red count was 12.5 when I started the treatment, then the next week it was 14.5, and then yesterday it was 12.9. I asked him if that was bad, that I seemed to be going back down again, and he said that he thought it was a combination of the 14.5 test being performed at another lab (not as good as his), and he even thought the test might have been wrong. He told us that the 12.9 number is where he actually expected me to be. I will do another blood test next week just to be safe. He did say that he thought that I was NOT hemolizing (killing off the red blood cells). He did say that my lymph glands and my spleen have both shrunk in size.
My white count, which no one seems to worry about, is at 52,900, and it was at 48,600 on the first day of the treatment. The higher count is not cause for alarm because the treatment causes the white cells to come out of hiding from the lymph glands and the spleen. Once in the blood stream the Rituxan attacks them and knocks them out. So there is some expectation that the WBC would be higher in the beginning, but then start to decrease.
Dr. Kipps was happy with the results so far, and is still confident that this treatment is working.
After the treatment I was out of commission for about 2 ½ days, which was expected by everyone but me. I have been slowly getting better, and right now feel about 95%. I even played golf and walked 18 holes, which is the first time I have walked since around last September.
My next adventure begins on July 28th for my next 5 days of treatment. Assuming nothing major happens between now and then I won't have much to say until that happens.
Terry
2 comments:
Terry, I'm happy to hear things seem to be going well. You keep up the good patient pretense! It helps make life easier on those that are "waiting" on you! Keep having fun because laughter is a strong medicine as well.
All of us here at the City keep a watch on your progress one way or the other. Maria and I are missing your decision making here at budget time. ha!
You take care a keep on keeping on. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Stacie
Hi Terry, I'm a cll patient too. Had it since 1994, similar to your experience. I am currently in the hospital because I was tired and short of breath, and the doctor says aiha. Hhemoglobin 6.9, hematocrit 22. They put me on prednisone and ivig, and so far no good results. How long did it take for you to respond to your prednisone and ivig? It seems like the doctor is pressuring me to start chemo right now, but we haven't even given the alternates 48 hrs yet.
Thanks for any input.
Craig
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