Pre Bone Marrow

Everything is lined up. We have a bone marrow transplant coordinator named Suzanne and Ash is all set to begin this lengthy, breathtaking process.

I have signed off on Ashton’s excess blood, marrow, tissue to be used for research. I’ve done that twice actually. I don’t see any reason not to have it out there for research as it’s all anonymous.

Normal values for absolute neutrophil count (>1000/microL) and platelet count (>100,000/microL), and independence from red cell transfusion.

●A bone marrow biopsy that reveals no blasts.

●A bone marrow aspiration revealing normal maturation of all cells

●Less than 5 percent of blast cells present in the bone marrow, and none with a leukemic phenotype.

Yeah. He has never had any of that.

If leukemia is still present after initial treatment, the disease is called refractory AML. Patients with this diagnosis are encouraged to talk with doctors who are experienced in treating this type of leukemia, because there can be different opinions about the best treatment plan.

(For most patients, a diagnosis of refractory leukemia is very stressful and, at times, difficult to bear. Patients and their families are encouraged to talk about the way they are feeling with doctors, nurses, social workers, or other members of the health care team. It may also be helpful to talk with other patients, including through a support group.) < That’s an on-line tip.

I spoke with a shrink for two hours today about getting us all out of this mess psychologically sound and him back home somehow cancer-free.

Starting Monday: another kidney test ( GFR- glomerular filtration rate )

CT Scan of entire body with sedation. Dental exam and cleaning. Audiology. <Not sure yet why this is necessary. An ECHO and an EKG. It’s all just to see if he can go to transplant. The specialist who is doing the BMT said there is no more annoying thing than to go to Russia to retrieve  bone marrow and have the recipient develop a cavity by the time ya get back.

I am excited to get this show on the road. Let’s just knock this baby out. We have stuff to do.