Childhood Cancer . Childhood Leukemia

October 7, 2015

On October 7, 2015 by

BJ had clinic again this morning for his exam and to check his blood counts. (The picture shows his boredom with going to clinic every other day!) His platelets were high enough that he didn’t need a transfusion today. His white blood cell count dropped significantly, so now he is neutropenic. “Neutropenic” basically means that his immune system is not working. His ANC (absolute neutrophil count) is 190. The standard range for ANC of a healthy person is between 1400 – 7500. We are always hesitant about being around someone who has been or is sick, but when you’re neutropenic, the caution level is more like a loose quarantine. He is still on medication for the fungal infection in his lungs as well.

We also heard from the doctor at Duke today. The ‘processing’ of BJ’s white blood cells began yesterday, and as of today, the process is going well. Since this is a clinical trial, there isn’t long term data, and not many patients that have had this therapy. The ‘processing’ does not always work for every patient. We are praying that it works and continues to work for BJ’s cells. And even more so, praying that when he gets his cells back, they find and destroy all of the leukemia in every hiding place in his body.

See my September 13th post for the details on the clinical trial.

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I'm a mom with a heart split between my child on earth and my child in heaven.