Living with MCL

You know it’s hard being upbeat all the time, especially considering the state of the economy, and the continual partisan bickering by our elected representatives, further evidenced by today’s health care summit [which I turned off after about 10 minutes], who seem to be more concerned with their own well being rather than the well being of the American public.

But that not withstanding, at least the weather has cooperated enough to allow me to get over 500 miles in [on the bike] so far this month, I didn’t get called in for jury duty this week, and my latest blood work continues to show stable disease, if not some slight improvement.

My absolute lymphocyte count still continues on its downward trend [ever so slightly], and it looks like my platelets have finally stabilized, with the latest count coming in at 181 thou/cumm. Hemoglobin has also remained stable at 11.8 g/dl. Not great, but all things considering it could be a lot worse.

So as long as I can continue to avoid the nightly news, and confrontations with ill informed individuals [at least IMO], wishing to engage in political discussion, I may yet be able to keep an upbeat attitude.

Plus a good bottle of wine never hurt either.

Got my latest blood test this morning, and as usual, there was good news, and bad news.

The good news is my lymphocytes are still stable at just under 100 thou/mcL, and my hemoglobin actually increased to 12 g/dL, but [and there's always a but] my platelets dropped to 172 thou/mcL.

That’s the lowest they’ve ever been, and 13 thou/mcL lower than the previous low reading. Now don’t everyone tell me that’s still within the normal range (130-400 thou/mcL), because I know that already. I’ve also have read platelet counts can be lower if taken early in the morning (which I did today), but none of that is much consolation.

In my case, a continuing drop in platelets is either an indication of bone marrow failure, or the spleen is traping the platelets [or both], neither of which is good, and both of which are indications for treatment sooner than later.

It could have something to do with the green tea I’ve been drinking, but I’ve already cut back about a 1/3, since my bloody nose episodes, and I hate cutting back more because I still believe it is a benefit overall.

Oh well, such is life I guess. Nothings ever perfect, plus I’ve always said, one test does not a trend make, so there’s still hope. I’ll just have to wait for next months results. It’s just not making it any easier deciding when and if I want to go to South America, which I am still debating.

I just received the results from today’s blood work, and I’m happy to report my blood glucose is within the normal [average] range at 94 mg/dL. And that was a non fasting result. It seems I forgot I was supposed to fast for the test.

I’d like to report the reduction was because I was able to lose the 10 pounds I committed myself to last month, but while I did have some initial success, trying to lose weight this time of year, is proving to be more daunting than I expected. Fortunately I was successful in eliminating 90% of the sweets from my diet, which I think was the contributing factor to the normal blood glucose reading.

My lymphocyte count did jump to above 100 thou/cumm again, but that’s still basically the same, even slightly lower, than it was last December, despite fluctuating greatly over the past 12 months. [At those levels, there is a lot of error that can occur when interpreting the results, so that kind of fluctuation is not surprising.]

Plus my hemoglobin .. continue reading ..

Well this month my doctor ordered some additional tests, which haven’t been checked in quite awhile, on top of my usual CBC and LDH.

Now, I’m almost wishing she hadn’t. Here I was cruising along quite happy, learning my hemoglobin remained stable at 12.6 g/dl, my lymphocyte count had dropped below 90 thou/cumm again, and my LDH had improved, from last months 160 IU/L reading, to 126 IU/L , that is, until I received my glucose results.

Seeing a glucose reading of 106 mg/dl (reference range 70-99 mg/dl) was very disconcerting. Not even the stock market climbing almost 500 points could help.

I emailed my oncologist, and she agreed to another glucose test next month, to confirm the reading. I’m hoping it was just a lab error.  I’d hate to think I may have the onset of diabetes. That’s not a pleasant thought, especially on top of my MCL.

Having to give up sweets won’t be a problem, but the thought of having to give up wine is just unacceptable.