August 18, 2025

-

On. Saturday I noticed the NRBC (nucleated red blood cells) counts had changed drastically.  They went from zero to 9.  When I remembered to ask the nurses about the number, they weren't sure, and I missed the doctors’ visits (or forgot to ask).  Looking at the meaning of NRBC online I understood it was young blood cells that had yet to mature.  I thought it had to be a good sign.  By Sunday that number was 25.  Today it was down to 12.5 but the doctor confirmed that it was the body back at work making blood cells.   It's working.

His WBC was 0.72 and his body is also showing signs of rebuilding immunity with a neutrophil count of 0.17.  Still neutropenic but looking up 

It really is very exciting to see the counts improving daily and to hope that the worst is behind us.

His platelets were at 6 so he did get an infusion.

After his shower today he was not completely drained as he has been.

Day 13.


I stopped to admire the tree and take a couple of pictures.  The guy sitting on the front lawn in the old metal chair told me that the fruit is very good to make a cream for the body.  He told me several times, each time miming putting a lotion over his upper body.  I didn't feel uncomfortable or that he was creepy.  Just amused.  I asked if the fruits were edible and he told me about the cream you can make out of them.  Made me smile that he was so excited by the tree (originally from Ukraine?) and this cream.  He repeated this many times.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

November 10, 2022 (2)

-
Image
Today, I dropped Marlon off at outdoor school and met up with a friend I have only seen a handful of times in the last 20+ years.  She was in the area for the passing of a family member. i then went for a walk with Mina.  I watched and she poised herself in hunting position and pounced.  I saw a squirrel run up a tiny little tree but also heard this pitiful whining.  At first, confused, I wondered if she had pounced on a nest in the ground.  But the dog ran to me, crying and whining, holding up her paw.  We were a ways from home and she hobbled carefully home after we sat for a while and she calmed down.  She will often run the perimeter of fields, running this way and that.  I saw her longing to run the field as we made our way back but she was uncomfortable and limping. A short while later, I went to pick up Marlon and watched in amazement as he hobbled to the car.  Yes, he had hurt his foot within an hour of the dog hurting herself.  ...
Read more

April 17, 2025

-
Image
It is shocking to see how sick he is. Not sick in the vomiting sense but so zapped of energy that he will wake up, walk to washroom, back again and sleep. Sometimes awake for 20 minutes like when the doctor came this morning to let us know his treatment plan. Chemo has started and I hope he comes back to life. Right now the leukemia is destroying him and it is so hard to see. I still can't believe he is back here again. The doctor said that in the past, they may have blasted the relapse very aggressively with chemo. Now it isn't nearly as aggressive a treatment. Well until you get to the bone marrow transplant (BMT). Chemo and steroids have begun and will continue for four weeks at which point they will check his marrow again. Once levels are better, immunotherapy will begin and continue for two months. Then comes the bone marrow transplant.   His brother and sister are first choice as possible donors. Blood needs to get typed and see if there is a match. All three ...
Read more

July 5, 2022

-
Image
Decision was made that Marlon was to go check blood counts on Monday.  We drove down to Hamilton together, quick finger poke, and then leave again.  A couple of times, we drove around the parking garage for almost a half-hour looking for a spot, but Monday was smooth.  Busy place. Blood counts are good so dental work begins.  Marlon's doctor was impressed with the dentist when she spoke with him last week.  In support, I sit next to him in the dentist's room and hope my own anxiety, discomfort, and fear don't affect him. Halfway through the drilling of four teeth which was quite intense, they took a little break to check in with Marlon and see if he was up to continue.  He agreed to do more but said he was most concerned about the tastes of the filling material.  With the pain and discomfort of the first part, one would think that would be the least of his worries but he is very sensitive to taste and flavour.  As it turned out he didn't gag or re...
Read more