Penny's latest summary:
It’s been kind of an even day around here - no chills, or fever ups and downs, and fewer medications. The infectious disease doctors and tests found nothing. So it looks like the cause of all of this is the MDS progressing into AML leukemia. We’re still waiting for the full cytology report from the hematologist so the subtype can be determined – and that indicates prognosis and treatment.
At any rate, it most likely involves intense induction chemotherapy, and a hospital stay of weeks. We should know more tomorrow. And there is the possibility of changing hospitals, as well as immediately starting the treatment. So those of you who were considering visiting might hold off until we know what’s going to happen and where. Also, the cough has returned (it, too, responded to the steroid), so the preferred method of communication with the boy is still e-mail.
The highlight of the day was a SHOWER. Mitch says he could have stayed there for two hours. His Prednisone-caused appetite has faded although he managed to eat almost all his lunch sandwich. The doctor has also taken him off the steroid and antibiotics so there are many fewer pills and things dripping into him. Red blood cell counts continue low playing how low can you go, but there is some improvement in the hemoglobin.
It’s been kind of an even day around here - no chills, or fever ups and downs, and fewer medications. The infectious disease doctors and tests found nothing. So it looks like the cause of all of this is the MDS progressing into AML leukemia. We’re still waiting for the full cytology report from the hematologist so the subtype can be determined – and that indicates prognosis and treatment.
At any rate, it most likely involves intense induction chemotherapy, and a hospital stay of weeks. We should know more tomorrow. And there is the possibility of changing hospitals, as well as immediately starting the treatment. So those of you who were considering visiting might hold off until we know what’s going to happen and where. Also, the cough has returned (it, too, responded to the steroid), so the preferred method of communication with the boy is still e-mail.
The highlight of the day was a SHOWER. Mitch says he could have stayed there for two hours. His Prednisone-caused appetite has faded although he managed to eat almost all his lunch sandwich. The doctor has also taken him off the steroid and antibiotics so there are many fewer pills and things dripping into him. Red blood cell counts continue low playing how low can you go, but there is some improvement in the hemoglobin.
Posts
Dear Mitch and Penny
ReplyDeleteI to have MDS and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
nwink
More distressing letters. MDS. AML. I saw, oh, SHT! Hope they get a handle on this pronto.
ReplyDeleteSHT is the word of choice herewith. Where's the fairy Godmother with the wand of magic, dammitt.
ReplyDeleteAngry tears here but love, hugs and all those raging, supportive emotions go out in your direction. Lynn
Thanks, all. Yeah, somehow all the letters don't end up spelling anything you'd really want to read.
ReplyDeletem
My mother has MDS, so I'm keenly interested in Mitch's situation and praying for him and my mother.
ReplyDelete