After Andrew's blood counts came in today, the doctors came to see us. They had big smiles on their faces, and Dr. Boxer shook our hands and congratulated us. It turns out that the neupogen, which stimulates the body to make white blood cells, was worth every penny, because in one week Andrew's white blood cell count shot up from 600 to 10,900, and his neutrophil level went from 100 to 8400. These levels are well within normal ranges for a healthy person. They might even be a little on the high side. The neupogen worked so much better than the doctors expected that they decided to reduce the dosage for the injections.
Andrew's platelet level is up another 7,000, to 45,000. His red blood cell level went down, so they decided to give him a blood transfusion today. He had an echocardiogram today to check his heart function and they drew some extra blood for tests in case a bone marrow transplant becomes necessary in the future. We are now just waiting for the transfusion to finish up, and then we will be on our way home.
Everyone is extremely encouraged by today's blood test results. The treatments seem to be extremely effective, and his marrow is producing cells at significant rates as the immunosuppressive therapy progresses. Andrew's platelet levels haven't been this high since our first visit to Beaumont the Friday after Easter. Now that his white blood cell levels are this high, his risk for infection or has gone way down. The risk is low enough that the doctors have suspended use of all of the antibiotics he was taking. Andrew can get back to more normal activities, and doesn't need to be as isolated for now. Even though the white cell production is being artificially enhanced, it makes things much easier on all of us.
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1 comment:
Thank you for sharing this wonderful news! And thank you, GOD, for answering the many prayers for Andrew!
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