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@stanleykent

Theresa , I had labs and CT this morning and will have Hematology and Oncolgy appointments next week. But just looking in my portal at this morning's test results, the blood tests are all back in the normal ranges. The chest fluid ( pleural effusion ) has gone away. The Spleen is smaller per the CT report and I can also tell it is smaller as I cannot physically feel it anymore. From my perspective, today's tests are good, but  I need to hear it from the doctors.  I do have a slight discomfort in the spleen area, different than it was. Am guessing that is the healing process??? When people ask.... I say   " Age adjusted, I feel great"
We're trying to isolate and wear masks and be careful. So far I have not had any infections, covid or flu. I did receive the covid antibody Evusheld injection after the infusions. I guess the immune system takes a long time to recover from rituximab 3 months to a year. So I will be cautious for a while yet. My family knows I am being cautious and have been helpful and understanding of my situation. 
I was diagnosed with SMZL in June of 2019 and looking back at the blood tests, the Dr thought I probably had it in 2017.
I hope I have answered all your questions let me know if there is anything else. Where are you getting treatments? How many treatments will you get? Hope your infusions go well. ...even the first one. 
Thanks for checking in. This forum has been quiet for a while. I wonder how everyone else is doing?.

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Replies to "Theresa , I had labs and CT this morning and will have Hematology and Oncolgy appointments..."

Hi Stan,
Thanks for your response; it helps to share experiences. Maybe our discussion will prompt some others to let us know how they are doing. Like you, in hindsight it's obvious I had this long before I was actually diagnosed. My white count had been low for years. If I remember right, your white count is usually high? That is so strange to me to see the two extremes in the same disease. I feel good but I look forward to not having my spleen and my stomach fight it out for space when I eat. This last exam the doctor noted shotty lymphadenopathy in other areas, which was concerning to me. It's time for treatment. It's going to be hard not to visit my grandchildren, I usually go once a month. I am getting Rituxan at my local oncologist's center just 10 minutes from home for which I am grateful. This was arranged by my lymphoma specialist in UVA which is 3 hours away.

How did your appointments go? I hope they were able to confirm your labs are good. I can not really imagine having normal labs again; I'm sure it feels great! My doctor did advise me to wait until mid January to begin treatment because he expects there to be an uptick in flu and Covid with all the holiday traveling. Stay safe and enjoy your Thanksgiving. We do have so much to be grateful for.
Theresa