Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Answers
Well here it is. I'm quoting directly from the BMT team's emails for accuracy.
1. IgG is a bit low but >500 so no IVIG is needed and the test should be repeated to make sure the level is not dropping much.
2. T&B lymphocytes are back and they are pretty good but the CD4 is lower then we'd like. I'd like to repeat the subsets at his next visit.
3. lymph function: this has been what we're all waiting for. 1/2 of it is back monday and all 3 of the stimulations on that test are "decreased response", that means 0/3 on that half. The other 1/2 is still pending. Jacob would have to pass all 3 to pass the function test. Not very likely but not impossible.
Even if he passes the function part we still need to repeat the T&B subsets and see if the CD4 is higher. It looks like he won't have his isolation lifted this go round but hopefully will by the 2nd round of tests.
He is allowed to go to a park in the free air ouside where there is no construction and loose dirt or sand. It is not recommended that he go to a mall or any other crowded place where lots of people are rubbing shoulders. Only 50% of our patients will actually meet the criteria at the first testing. So I am not surprised at the results.
Ann speaking again: So, Jacob goes in for a lumbar puncture tomorrow (it's an already-scheduled tumor follow up - not related to the immune studies) and they'll draw labs for a new set of immune studies, and in two or three more weeks we'll see what they say.
Meanwhile, we've got some good new: Eric is fine; Richard and Maria made it out of Huston before Rita and back after and their house was okay.
I've been cranky and upset about the test results, but the truth is we are unbelievably lucky.
1. IgG is a bit low but >500 so no IVIG is needed and the test should be repeated to make sure the level is not dropping much.
2. T&B lymphocytes are back and they are pretty good but the CD4 is lower then we'd like. I'd like to repeat the subsets at his next visit.
3. lymph function: this has been what we're all waiting for. 1/2 of it is back monday and all 3 of the stimulations on that test are "decreased response", that means 0/3 on that half. The other 1/2 is still pending. Jacob would have to pass all 3 to pass the function test. Not very likely but not impossible.
Even if he passes the function part we still need to repeat the T&B subsets and see if the CD4 is higher. It looks like he won't have his isolation lifted this go round but hopefully will by the 2nd round of tests.
He is allowed to go to a park in the free air ouside where there is no construction and loose dirt or sand. It is not recommended that he go to a mall or any other crowded place where lots of people are rubbing shoulders. Only 50% of our patients will actually meet the criteria at the first testing. So I am not surprised at the results.
Ann speaking again: So, Jacob goes in for a lumbar puncture tomorrow (it's an already-scheduled tumor follow up - not related to the immune studies) and they'll draw labs for a new set of immune studies, and in two or three more weeks we'll see what they say.
Meanwhile, we've got some good new: Eric is fine; Richard and Maria made it out of Huston before Rita and back after and their house was okay.
I've been cranky and upset about the test results, but the truth is we are unbelievably lucky.
# posted by Ann @ 6:55 PM 
