We got Katie's latest blood test results yesterday afternoon and discovered that her ANC, while climbing, is still low. She was at 299 as of Monday night. That is going to be enough to keep us home for Christmas and to keep some friends and family away. It seems like a bad thing, but when the alternatives are considered, I am very happy to be home for the holidays. It sure beats spending them in the hospital.
So what's going on? Why are her numbers so low and taking so long to recover? The doctors have shared some theories with us. They are considering the possibility that dosage levels are too high for the chemotherapy that she has been getting at home so they are likely to start adjusting the doses and watching to see how her cell counts react. There is also the possibility that the Bactrim that she has been taking as her anti-biotic to ward off pneumonia could be causing the low ANC. Apparently, that happens in some kids. The Bactrim will be the first thing to go. We were instructed not to giver her the next dose. Instead, they are goig to try a new anti-biotic when we next go back to Fletcher Allen.
Until then, she is free to stay home with us, and take absolutely no medications of any kind. This will be the first time in a long time that her little body will be entirely drug free. That seems like a nice Christmas present.
1 comment:
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. We also stayed home and it was very nice. I hope Katie is well soon. It was a nice surprise to see that beautiful face at grammy and grandpas the other day. Love to you all hugs and kisses for Katie and Josh. Love Aunt Michelle and Uncle Kim
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