I didn't expect it to be so soon, but I had another transfusion yesterday (Thursday). When I went in for my blood test and Aranesp shot on Tuesday, my Hgb was down to 9.4. The week before on Wednesday, it was 9.3 and I had a blood transfusion the following day. I really expected it to be higher this week, but ended up in the same situation as last week where my Hgb would drop below 9 by the weekend. I had no problem in getting in for a transfusion this week. Actually, the lab now draws enough blood for a type & cross match when they do the standard blood test. I am already scheduled for a transfusion next week, anticipating they will be busy after the New Year holiday.
My other blood counts are normal. I have ordered a copy of my records to take to Mayo Clinic on January 8th and look forward to making a decision of what to do next. BMT?
Friday, December 29, 2006
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Transfusion #30
Well, I had another transfusion today. While pretty routine now, the biggest story was in the scheduling. Prior to my previous transfusion on Wed, Dec 13, my Hgb was 8.2, so it was no surprise that my HGB was 9.3 yesterday. Because of the Christmas holiday coming up, I pushed for a transfusion on Friday. But there was no room at the "Inn". All of the alternative clinics at the Fairview U of MN medical center were booked up. The earliest that I could get in was on Tues, Dec 26. By then, my Hgb would certainly be close to 8 and wouldn't have the energy to really enjoy Christmas.
My doctor said he would "throw his weight around" to get me in, but called me back this morning saying that "he was not heavy enough". I had two alternatives: check into the hospital or go to the emergency room, either of which insurance might not pay for. Of course, if I did have real shortness of breath or heart problems like I did back in March (Hgb dropped to 5.9), I would have no problem going to the emergency room.
So after deciding I would wait until Tuesday, I received a phone call at work this morning. The Day Hospital where I have my transfusions had a cancellation and my blood was ready. The big snow storm (2" for us) caused someone to cancel, providing time for me. It also turned out that I no longer need to wait 2 days for a blood match, since my Coombs test is now negative.
So I had my 30th transfusion and 61st unit of packed red blood cells during mid-day and made it back to work for a few hours this afternoon. Instead of dragging this weekend, I should be at my highest energy (Hgb) level since June. I also have made an appt for Jan 3 for another transfusion so that I don't get caught in the after New Years scheduling rush.
Since I probably will not post again until next week, remember that "Jesus is the reason for the season." Have a Merry Christmas.
My doctor said he would "throw his weight around" to get me in, but called me back this morning saying that "he was not heavy enough". I had two alternatives: check into the hospital or go to the emergency room, either of which insurance might not pay for. Of course, if I did have real shortness of breath or heart problems like I did back in March (Hgb dropped to 5.9), I would have no problem going to the emergency room.
So after deciding I would wait until Tuesday, I received a phone call at work this morning. The Day Hospital where I have my transfusions had a cancellation and my blood was ready. The big snow storm (2" for us) caused someone to cancel, providing time for me. It also turned out that I no longer need to wait 2 days for a blood match, since my Coombs test is now negative.
So I had my 30th transfusion and 61st unit of packed red blood cells during mid-day and made it back to work for a few hours this afternoon. Instead of dragging this weekend, I should be at my highest energy (Hgb) level since June. I also have made an appt for Jan 3 for another transfusion so that I don't get caught in the after New Years scheduling rush.
Since I probably will not post again until next week, remember that "Jesus is the reason for the season." Have a Merry Christmas.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
BMB Results Delayed
I saw the doctor yesterday, but he did not have the final results of the BMB yet. Still very similar to previous ones so far with more blasts (young cells) and fewer red blood cells. The term myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative are still being used. Will know more later and then get opinion from Mayo in about a month. Since it does appear that the RBC production has dropped since I stopped the Procrit, he prescribed Anasesp which is similar. I will get a shot every two weeks when I am in for my blood test. My BMB puncture wound is healed, at least on the outside. I have had little pain since the BMB and main discomfort was from the bandage.
Monday, December 11, 2006
BMB Experience
Even though I have had a Bone Marrow Biopsy (BMB) three times before, the one this morning was a different experience. I had my first in March, 2005, at the Masonic Day Hospital, the same place as today. My wife came with and drove me home afterwards since I had some sedative prior to the procedure. Today, I did not have a sedative since I was driving myself. My second BMB was in May, 2005, at Mayo Clinic where I had no sedative but don't remember a lot of pain. I drove back home afterwards. My third was while in Fairview Hospital in January for other tests as well. I must have had a sedative at that time as well, even though I didn't go anywhere afterwards. Next time I think I will have a sedative.
Some things may be changing with my bones as well since it took four attempts to get the bone marrow sample this morning. Though I did not have sedative, I did have some local Lidocaine to numb the tissue in the test area. The local anesthetic does not numb the interior of the bone. The first attempt hit upon scar tissue or hard bone that the tool could not penetrate easily. (A bone marrow biopsy uses a special tool that twists into the bone. You may feel pressure at the site and hear a crunching sound as the tool twists into the bone.) The second and third attempts hit soft marrow that crushed easily and did not provide a good sample. These two attempts were the most painful, once making pain shoot down my left leg. The fourth attempt was good retrieving a sample about 2 cm long and about 3 mm in diameter. Four samples of aspirate were also sucked from the bone marrow, about 10 ml total volume.
Even though I had three or four holes drilled in my hip bone, there was little pain afterwards and I drove back to work. But after a couple of hours at work, I decided to go home to my recliner since sitting in my desk chair was somewhat uncomfortable. A couple of Tylenol helped as well.
I also had a blood test this morning. While my hemoglobin was 10.2 last Tuesday, it was only 8.2 this morning, the biggest drop in six days that I have had. Maybe the bigger difference is error in the tests or variations by different lab technicians. I will get the results of the BMB and will have another transfusion on Wednesday.
Some things may be changing with my bones as well since it took four attempts to get the bone marrow sample this morning. Though I did not have sedative, I did have some local Lidocaine to numb the tissue in the test area. The local anesthetic does not numb the interior of the bone. The first attempt hit upon scar tissue or hard bone that the tool could not penetrate easily. (A bone marrow biopsy uses a special tool that twists into the bone. You may feel pressure at the site and hear a crunching sound as the tool twists into the bone.) The second and third attempts hit soft marrow that crushed easily and did not provide a good sample. These two attempts were the most painful, once making pain shoot down my left leg. The fourth attempt was good retrieving a sample about 2 cm long and about 3 mm in diameter. Four samples of aspirate were also sucked from the bone marrow, about 10 ml total volume.
Even though I had three or four holes drilled in my hip bone, there was little pain afterwards and I drove back to work. But after a couple of hours at work, I decided to go home to my recliner since sitting in my desk chair was somewhat uncomfortable. A couple of Tylenol helped as well.
I also had a blood test this morning. While my hemoglobin was 10.2 last Tuesday, it was only 8.2 this morning, the biggest drop in six days that I have had. Maybe the bigger difference is error in the tests or variations by different lab technicians. I will get the results of the BMB and will have another transfusion on Wednesday.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
BMB Scheduled
I was in for my weekly blood test today and learned that I am scheduled for a bone marrow biopsy (BMB) on Monday, Dec 11. Doctor wants it in prep for my appt with him on Dec 13. I think he also wants it prior to my visit to Mayo in January. The last BMB was on January 11 while I was in Fairview Hospital. My Hgb had dropped to 7.2 after over 3 months being stable at about 9.5. The BMB is the key test as to whether I need the BMT in February.
Surprisingly, my hemoglobin was 10.2 today. I would have guessed that it was closer to 9.2 considering how it has been going recently. White cell and platelet counts were normal. I will probably need a transfusion next week as well, but that is better than needing one this week. Maybe, it will get back to every other week.
Surprisingly, my hemoglobin was 10.2 today. I would have guessed that it was closer to 9.2 considering how it has been going recently. White cell and platelet counts were normal. I will probably need a transfusion next week as well, but that is better than needing one this week. Maybe, it will get back to every other week.
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