The majority of Valerie's day was uneventful yesterday mostly filled with napping and talking. Her WBC's were coming back up to 300 and both the internist and infectious disease doctors were happy. Last night her hematology oncologist came in to tell her the results of the genetic testing that they have been conducting on the leukemia bone marrow sample they took the first day she got to the hospital. (Yes, it normally takes this long.) Protein mutation in her stem cells. That means that even if her body makes new good WBC's, they will not be able to see the bad Leukemia cells. They are in camouflage. So there are two things we need to do:
1)There is 3% chance that the leukemia is in the spinal fluid. To check for that, today the neurologist is doing an MRI today and possibly a spinal tap. She is very worried about the spinal tap and if they have to do one we need extra prayer to calm her fears. Let's just pray she does not have to have one. If it is in her spinal fluid they have to use a different kind of chemo, regular chemo will not pass the blood brain barrier.
2)Even though the oncologist thinks she is in remission now, the type of cancer cells she has, conventional chemo will not cure her completely. She will have to have an extremely large dose of chemo to kill off all of her bone marrow and then a stem cell transplant. Vanessa and I have the best chance of matching her (18%) because even though stem cell transplants are basically just blood, they have to match like a bone marrow transplant. We have always been really close sisters and we joke that in our family the genes run thick so let's pray one of us matches. If Vanessa and I do not match they go to the national registry, friends and family.
We are writing down questions to ask the doctor tonight. This was a lot of information to get yesterday and Valerie was very upset (of course). If you think of any questions, please email me at mwilson16@hotmail.com
Valerie's spirit was broken last night but as usual Brent came thru and used that magic that we are so blessed that he has. He talked and joked, using that perfect mix of serious crazy smart and funny and sweet that he has. He calmed her down and now we are ready to start Plan B. Plan B is a harder plan, it is not that one we were hoping for but it is still a complete cure and it is indeed a plan.
1)There is 3% chance that the leukemia is in the spinal fluid. To check for that, today the neurologist is doing an MRI today and possibly a spinal tap. She is very worried about the spinal tap and if they have to do one we need extra prayer to calm her fears. Let's just pray she does not have to have one. If it is in her spinal fluid they have to use a different kind of chemo, regular chemo will not pass the blood brain barrier.
2)Even though the oncologist thinks she is in remission now, the type of cancer cells she has, conventional chemo will not cure her completely. She will have to have an extremely large dose of chemo to kill off all of her bone marrow and then a stem cell transplant. Vanessa and I have the best chance of matching her (18%) because even though stem cell transplants are basically just blood, they have to match like a bone marrow transplant. We have always been really close sisters and we joke that in our family the genes run thick so let's pray one of us matches. If Vanessa and I do not match they go to the national registry, friends and family.
We are writing down questions to ask the doctor tonight. This was a lot of information to get yesterday and Valerie was very upset (of course). If you think of any questions, please email me at mwilson16@hotmail.com
Valerie's spirit was broken last night but as usual Brent came thru and used that magic that we are so blessed that he has. He talked and joked, using that perfect mix of serious crazy smart and funny and sweet that he has. He calmed her down and now we are ready to start Plan B. Plan B is a harder plan, it is not that one we were hoping for but it is still a complete cure and it is indeed a plan.
I'm praying for you cousin! :-)
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