Another Quick Platelet Update

2/27/16 – I must say this process of figuring out what’s up with my platelets is pretty slow moving. My platelets had continued to trend down in recent weeks but now all of a sudden they jumped to 46. No one really can explain it at this point other than it could have something to do with my weekly IVIG’s and NPlate Shots.I'm sure that in time we will get to the bottom of this.

As a precautionary thing, I had a Bone Marrow Biopsy yesterday. Hopefully it will come back clear but it may shed some light on things and even show if there are any other under lying issues that may be driving my counts other than the ITP.

I will be back at the cancer center on Monday, February 29^th for another IVIG.

This is back to my need to be patient with the process and trust in God that things will eventually be all resolved.

I would be remiss not to mention just how wonderful all the nurses have been at the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center. They are all compassionate, caring, kind, understanding, friendly and great healers.

When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Matthew 14:14

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/

Platelets Trending Down Again

2/14/16 – At my Friday, February 12^th appointment my platelets were down to 18. With recent check-ups I have gone from 67 to 59 to 26 t0 18. Certainly things are not moving in the right direction. It would seem that my 4 Rituxan treatments have not worked as expected. Also although getting cross matched platelets and IVIG does increase my platelet count the results are short lived. The jury is still out on whether the NPlate shots are effective. I have had 4 shots at this point but it can take as many as 6 to 8 shots to take effect. The one adjustment we did do to my meds is we replaced my steroid of prednisone with dexamethasone. If the NPlate and dexamethasone doesn’t work we will probably start talking about a splenectomy.

I’ll be back to the cancer center on Monday, February 15^th for another check-up and a possible platelet infusion.

Today is a very special day on a couple of counts. It’s Valentine’s Day, a day I need to give very special thanks to my wife Sue and daughters Jill and Alli for being so supportive to me. I truly love my girls very much.

Today is also the first Sunday of Lent. The Psalm of the day carries a main theme of:  FAITH in the lordship of Jesus gives us all HOPE for salvation. How great it is that today’s focus is Faith, Hope and Love. May this day be a very special one for you and your loved ones.

Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.

You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,

who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,

say to the LORD, "My refuge and fortress,

my God in whom I trust."

Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.

No evil shall befall you,

nor shall affliction come near your tent,

for to his angels he has given command about you,

that they guard you in all your ways.

Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.

Upon their hands they shall bear you up,

lest you dash your foot against a stone.

You shall tread upon the asp and the viper;

you shall trample down the lion and the dragon.

Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.

Because he clings to me, I will deliver him;

I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in distress;

I will deliver him and glorify him.

Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.

Psalm 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/

More Good News

2/5/16 – I was back in Hackensack today to check my platelets (and other blood counts), get an NPlate shot and then have a PET Scan. The day started with the me receiving news that my platelets were 59. This was good news. Although this is still low it does seem that they are holding their own.

Next I headed to another building on the Hackensack University Medical campus for my PET scan. While I was waiting for my scan the cancer center called. They said that they would like me to return there after my scan so they could infuse some fluids. Apparently my kidney function was low as a result of a high creatinine. Once my PET was complete I headed back to the cancer center. While the fluids were infusing into me one of the nurses noticed that the results of my PET scan came in. Soon after this the results were delivered to us from our favorite APN. On the report from Radiology was drawn a picture of a smiley face with the words “Looks Great!” 

Yes, the scan was all clear and I am still in remission.

So things continue to look up.

Sure I have to complete my treatments for ITP. I’ll be back for my 4^th and final treatment of rituxan on Tuesday, February 9^th. Hopefully this will do the trick and bring an end to this ITP saga. I will need to continue to get NPlate shots for a while until my platelets are able to maintain themselves at a normal level.

All and all this was a great day.

O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His loving kindness is everlasting.

1 Chronicles 16:34

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/

Quick Platelet Update

2/2/16 – I was back in the cancer center on Friday, January 29 and Monday, February. On Friday my platelets were at 39. Although they did go down it was a positive sign that they didn’t drop to single digits as in the past. Based on this I only received IVIG and the NPlate shot… I didn’t need platelet infusions. On Monday, February 1st my platelets were at 67. Now this was awesome to hear. My platelets seem to be going up. I’m not sure what the cause for these good results is. It has to be either the Rituxan or the NPlate. There is still some work to do with my ITP/platelet issues but all signs are looking pretty positive. I did have my 3^rd Rituxan treatment yesterday. I’ll receive the 4^th (and final) Rituxan treatment next week.

I will be back at cancer center on February 5^th for another NPlate shot and a PET scan.

A joyful heart is good medicine

Proverbs 17:22

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/