Day 30

Hemoglobin 8.6
Platelets 72
WBC 2.3
Creatinine 1.40

Except for a few hiccups here and there things are going really well.  Yesterday I met with Dr. Oran.  My biopsy results showed no signs of leukemia, and DNA studies showed 97% of circulating WBCs and 99% of cells in the marrow contain Mitch's DNA.  This shows that Mitch's cells have successfully implanted, have removed most of my marrow cells (thus removing the cancer), and are producing the cells they need to be.  Although not at 100%, Dr. Oran is very pleased with where I am at for only being +30 days.

She is concerned, however, with the fact that my counts seem to be slowly dropping.  The cause of this is not clear to her.  She would be much more concerned if i hadn't just had such a successful biopsy.  Since the tests confirm things seem to be going well in the marrow she believes the cause may be one of my medication.  So we discontinued the MMF a few days early (it only is typically taken through day 31) and switched one blood pressure medication for another.  I will be seeing her again on Saturday to recheck labs and further monitor my counts and medication changes.  She still hopes to put me back on low-dose cyclosporin, pending improved kidney function.

I still have the cough but it is not as bothersome as it was last week.  I have no other symptoms, so careful monitoring continues to be the name of the game.  I generally feel well, my energy continues to improve, and I am able to get out of the house and enjoy the beautiful spring weather we have been having in Minnesota.