Today we went for blood work, the results are good according to the Mayo Clinic blood specialist.
red blood cell count: 3.17 low, but good
white blood cell count: 5.9 great
platelets: 238,000 great
hemoglobin: 11.9 low but rising which is good
We haven't gotten the results of the blood sugar, retic count or the bilirubin yet. We should have them tomorrow.
We go back for blood work Friday.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Today we went to Mayo Clinic to have blood tests done. Fred has developed a side effect called "Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia" (AIHA). Basically the chemotherapy and the anti-bodies in his blood are attacking the hemoglobin in his blood.
The good news is that with the overall good reaction to the first two cycles of chemotherapy, the next round of chemo can be delayed until they get the anti-bodies under control. Currently they have put Fred on Prednisone and we will continue to have additional blood tests for blood count, bilirubin, retic count and blood glucose.
Today's blood counts were:
red blood cell count: 2.76 (low, but going up)
white blood cell count: 9.8 (good)
platelets: 249,000 (good)
retic %: 8.5 (high)
Hemoglobin: 10.9 (low, but going up)
glucose: 105 (high)
bilirubin total: 1.9 (high)
We go for blood work Monday, September 22nd and we will see how his numbers are and where we go next. Just another adventure.
The good news is that with the overall good reaction to the first two cycles of chemotherapy, the next round of chemo can be delayed until they get the anti-bodies under control. Currently they have put Fred on Prednisone and we will continue to have additional blood tests for blood count, bilirubin, retic count and blood glucose.
Today's blood counts were:
red blood cell count: 2.76 (low, but going up)
white blood cell count: 9.8 (good)
platelets: 249,000 (good)
retic %: 8.5 (high)
Hemoglobin: 10.9 (low, but going up)
glucose: 105 (high)
bilirubin total: 1.9 (high)
We go for blood work Monday, September 22nd and we will see how his numbers are and where we go next. Just another adventure.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Sorry I did not post anything yesterday, but it was a long day. We received a call around 11 am from the hospital saying they had the correct blood for Fred. We arrived at the hospital around noon and we did not leave until 9:45 pm.
Fred received the two units of blood which were administered to him very slowly due to his "high risk factor" with the antibodies. His blood pressure, pulse and temperature were taken every 1/2 hour.
Fred felt well today. Dr. Solberg at Mayo Clinic wants us to come Tuesday to have blood work done and for Fred to see the blood specialist. So that will be our next adventure.
Fred received the two units of blood which were administered to him very slowly due to his "high risk factor" with the antibodies. His blood pressure, pulse and temperature were taken every 1/2 hour.
Fred felt well today. Dr. Solberg at Mayo Clinic wants us to come Tuesday to have blood work done and for Fred to see the blood specialist. So that will be our next adventure.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
The saga continues...this morning we saw the local hematologist to get the order for the blood transfusion. We went to the local hospital with the order to have Fred's blood typed and cross matched. The blood transfusion was scheduled to tomorrow.
We received a call later this afternoon from the local doctor saying that Fred's blood has some strange antibodies and they needed to do more blood work at the hospital. We went to the hospital and had 6 more vials taken to more closely type and cross match. Due to these antibodies the blood transfusion (2 units) will take longer than the 6 hours they originally told us. They also told us not to come at 8 am tomorrow as planned, but to wait for them to call once they find the correct blood with antibodies the Fred needs.
I'll keep you posted.
We received a call later this afternoon from the local doctor saying that Fred's blood has some strange antibodies and they needed to do more blood work at the hospital. We went to the hospital and had 6 more vials taken to more closely type and cross match. Due to these antibodies the blood transfusion (2 units) will take longer than the 6 hours they originally told us. They also told us not to come at 8 am tomorrow as planned, but to wait for them to call once they find the correct blood with antibodies the Fred needs.
I'll keep you posted.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Fred's blood work today did not go as expected. Here are the numbers:
White blood cell count: 8.1 down from 8.4 on Thursday
Red blood cell count: 2.04 down from 2.16 on Thursday
Hemoglobin: 8.3 down from 8.5 on Thursday
Platelets: 226,000 (same as Thursday)
After consultation with Dr. Solberg at Mayo Clinic it was decided that Fred would need a blood transfusion. We go to the local hemotologist tomorrow morning for an order to go to the local hospital (either Wednesday afternoon or Thursday) to have a blood transfusion.
I will keep you informed on what happens next.
White blood cell count: 8.1 down from 8.4 on Thursday
Red blood cell count: 2.04 down from 2.16 on Thursday
Hemoglobin: 8.3 down from 8.5 on Thursday
Platelets: 226,000 (same as Thursday)
After consultation with Dr. Solberg at Mayo Clinic it was decided that Fred would need a blood transfusion. We go to the local hemotologist tomorrow morning for an order to go to the local hospital (either Wednesday afternoon or Thursday) to have a blood transfusion.
I will keep you informed on what happens next.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Saturday, September 6
I guess I forgot to post Fred's blood work on Thursday.
His white blood cells were 8.4 (great)
His red blood cells were 2.16 low, but up since Tuesday when they were 1.9 (normal 4.20-6.00)
His platelets were 8.5 (low) up from 8.1 Tuesday (normal 12.1-17.2)
Dr. Solberg did not feel a blood transfusion was needed yet due to the Aranesp injection he received on Tuesday showing his numbers came up since Tuesday.
Fred has blood work scheduled for this coming Tuesday, so we are hoping his numbers go up even more.
He is very tired due to the anemia, but he is learning to just do things slower and take those naps that are so important.
His white blood cells were 8.4 (great)
His red blood cells were 2.16 low, but up since Tuesday when they were 1.9 (normal 4.20-6.00)
His platelets were 8.5 (low) up from 8.1 Tuesday (normal 12.1-17.2)
Dr. Solberg did not feel a blood transfusion was needed yet due to the Aranesp injection he received on Tuesday showing his numbers came up since Tuesday.
Fred has blood work scheduled for this coming Tuesday, so we are hoping his numbers go up even more.
He is very tired due to the anemia, but he is learning to just do things slower and take those naps that are so important.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
No chemotherapy this week. Fred had blood work this morning at Mayo Clinic and his hemoglobin is down to 8.1. Dr. Solberg feels that having chemo will only deplete his hemoglobin more and then he would definitely need a blood transfusion. Fred received an Aranesp injection which works by helping the bone marrow in his body produce red blood cells and also regain energy lost to chemotherapy related anemia.
Three more extensive blood tests were done this afternoon and one of those will be sent to Rochester, MN, so we will wait for those results.
Blood work is scheduled for Thursday and Tuesday next week to make sure his hemoglobin is going up in the right direction or if he will need a blood transfusion.
His alkalines were normal today, so the doctor is not concerned about that at this point.
His bilirubin was up a little and will be watched.
So as of right now his chemotherapy (cycle 3) will be put off for two weeks.
Three more extensive blood tests were done this afternoon and one of those will be sent to Rochester, MN, so we will wait for those results.
Blood work is scheduled for Thursday and Tuesday next week to make sure his hemoglobin is going up in the right direction or if he will need a blood transfusion.
His alkalines were normal today, so the doctor is not concerned about that at this point.
His bilirubin was up a little and will be watched.
So as of right now his chemotherapy (cycle 3) will be put off for two weeks.
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