As I've said many times, part of the danger of doing a blog like this is that if the posts become less frequent, people begin to worry.
I'm still in-hospital, as the Brits say, running platelet counts that are lower than I thought possible (3,000). So, my energy level is equally low, and merely typing this short message strains my stamina.
Anyway, Penny has been circulating updates by e-mail. I've pasted the latest missive below. If, for some reason, you're not getting her emails and want to join her list, zap an email to me or her, or leave a comment saying you want to join the party.
Trying my best to stay awake.
The Daily Mitch Report
At the moment Mitch is resting a bit more comfortably. The results are in from most of the tests with the infectious disease men finding nothing. A second look at the bone marrow, however, was not reassuring. There are preliminary evidences that the MDS has progressed into AML leukemia, but more staining and studying is needed to classify and type it. Based on that, we’re probably looking at intensive chemotherapy, but that’s all we know now. More details will be forthcoming. The possibility of a bone marrow transplant is out there, but wouldn’t happen until after chemo even if he is a candidate.
More platelets and red blood cells were infused today and we think his temperature is more even. Dr. O is making every effort to increase his platelet count and is starting prednisone and gamaglobulin which worked once before.
And he is eating a stale French crueler now, and that’s a very good sign.
I'm still in-hospital, as the Brits say, running platelet counts that are lower than I thought possible (3,000). So, my energy level is equally low, and merely typing this short message strains my stamina.
Anyway, Penny has been circulating updates by e-mail. I've pasted the latest missive below. If, for some reason, you're not getting her emails and want to join her list, zap an email to me or her, or leave a comment saying you want to join the party.
Trying my best to stay awake.
The Daily Mitch Report
At the moment Mitch is resting a bit more comfortably. The results are in from most of the tests with the infectious disease men finding nothing. A second look at the bone marrow, however, was not reassuring. There are preliminary evidences that the MDS has progressed into AML leukemia, but more staining and studying is needed to classify and type it. Based on that, we’re probably looking at intensive chemotherapy, but that’s all we know now. More details will be forthcoming. The possibility of a bone marrow transplant is out there, but wouldn’t happen until after chemo even if he is a candidate.
More platelets and red blood cells were infused today and we think his temperature is more even. Dr. O is making every effort to increase his platelet count and is starting prednisone and gamaglobulin which worked once before.
And he is eating a stale French crueler now, and that’s a very good sign.
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Hello Mitch, I'm very sorry to hear about the decline in your counts and illness. I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your writings about your experience with this disease. It really benefits us ( MDS pts) a lot. I am hoping that your MDS specialist can get your blasts down and your counts up. Thanks again and continue to be upbeat. Here's wishing you a speedy recovery. A fellow MDS patient
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words. It looks like we've graduated to leukemia - just when I thought I was getting a handle on the whole MDS-Vidaza thing. Ah, well...
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