We have another week's reprieve from the hospital. Malcolm's ANC actually dropped to 570! It generally needs to be 1000 to start the next round of chemo (or in certain circumstances, they may start if it is above 750). His overall white blood cell count was about the same as last week (3.8), but the relative numbers of the different types of white cells shifted. So he had fewer "neutros", which are counted in the ANC, and more "lymphs", which are not. The prevailing theory is that he has been at the tail end of a virus which often causes this shift to producing lymphs instead of neutros. It is possible that the virus was behind his fevers when his ANC was really low. His platelets were 319 (normal) and hemoglobin was 103 (just under normal).
So chemo will more than likely start next Tuesday. I think it is not uncommon for his counts to be too low at this point, but it would be much less common in another week. I think everyone was a bit surprised (I know I was) that his ANC was so low today since it was bouncing up rapidly but this virus theory seems to account for it.
So for those of you planning to visit in the hospital this week, feel free to stop by the house or postpone your visit till next week. We have been missing Donovan like mad (he is still at the farm) but enjoying a visit from out of town friends. Malcolm has been extremely content since he has come home and has been catching up on sleep.
Mary Ellen
Oh well, I'm glad you get a bit more time at home now, even though it makes it all drag on longer. I hope everything goes well this week and the numbers start going back where you need them.
ReplyDeleteWe're away next week - back on the 16th - call then if you need anything. Thinking of you all!
Alice x