Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Fred had his blood work done yesterday. Here are the results:

White blood cell count: 8.4 (normal range)
Red blood cell count: 3.85 (low, but okay)
Hemoglobin: 13.4 (low, but okay)
Platelets: 143,000 (in normal range)
Lymph count: 0.8 (normal range)
Lymph percentage: 9.6 (low, but okay)

Mayo was pleased with the results and chemo is on for next week. Hopefully this will be the last chemo treatment. One day at a time.

Fred has been feeling pretty good.

Fred and I wish everyone a Happy, HEALTHY, New Year.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Our family would like to wish all of you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR.

Sorry I haven't posted for a while, but when the doctor put me on an antibiotic (because of Fred) I got sick. I am now on my second antibiotic.

Fred had blood work done yesterday and here are the results:

White blood cell count: 10.9 (normal 4.1 - 10.9)
Red blood cell count: 3.79 (low, normal 4.69-6.13)
Hemoglobin: 13.3 (low, normal 14.1 - 17.9)
Platelets: 174,000 (normal 140,000 - 440,000)

Dr. Solberg is more concerned with his lymph count which is 0.7 (normal is 0.6 - 4.1). Being at the low normal range he is more susceptible to infection. So we just have to watch that. Hence that is why I am now on a second antibiotic.

Fred has been feeling pretty good lately. He will go for more blood work next week.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Fred has still been running a low-grade fever and developed a cough. He talked to Marcia (Dr. Solberg's nurse) and she told us to go to the local doctor and have blood work done and see the doctor here.

Fred is now an additional antibiotic and medication for the cough. So between the two antibiotics hopefully he will knock the infection out of his system.

His blood work wasn't too bad. His white blood cell count is up, but that is due to the infection. Here are his results:

white blood cell count: 8.8 (normal range, but due to infection)
red blood cell count: 3.62 (low)
hemoglobin: 12.6 (low)
platelets: 133,000 (low)

Hopefully this will get out of his system soon and we can start getting him out of the house. I am going to the doctor to get something tomorrow so I don't catch something (got to kill the germs).

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Fred has been running a low-grade fever for the last two days. He sleeps on and off and of course is bored just staying in the house, but that is what the doctor means by isolation. He has to remember it is either isolation at home or he will end up in isolation in the hospital.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Okay here is the scoop: We went to Mayo today, had blood work done and saw Dr. Solberg. Believe it or not, Fred's white blood cell count went from 900 (or .9) yesterday to 2,200 (or 2.2) today.

His red blood cell count was 3.50 (low, but okay)
His platelets were 141,000 (yesterday they were 109,000)
His hemoglobin was 12.7 (low, but okay)
His absolute neutrophils were 6.4 (normal is 1.7-7.0) (Dr. Solberg watches this number very closely also.

We are now home. Dr. Solberg said the combination of the chemotherapy last week and the infection Fred had caused the low white blood cell count. He was pleased that it is going up on its own and did not feel a white blood cell booster injection would be necessary. Of course they are going to coninue to watch Fred's blood work next week very closely.

Fred just has to stay away from people, no stores (which he said he has a good excuse now not to do any Christmas shopping), and continue his antibiotic for another week. Basically stay home and drive me crazier!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Fred and I are headed to Jacksonville tomorrow. His blood work today was not good and Dr. Solberg wants more blood work tomorrow and then we will see him. In a nutshell, Fred has no immune system right now.

Here are the results:
White blood cells: .9 (normal is 4.1-10.9)
Red blood cells: 3.68 (normal is 4.69-6.13)
Hemoglobin: 13.0 (normal is 14.1-17.9)
Platelets: 109,000 (normal is 140,000-440,000)

Fred's blood work is at noon and his appointment with Dr. Solberg is at 2:00 pm. I will keep you posted.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

The only change in Fred today is that he is feeling very tired. He has no energy.

He is having blood work tomorrow, so we will see where his numbers are at.