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Lori, your response is wonderful! I think it will take me weeks to read and research these additional articles you suggested. 😊 I am grateful, and I will.
Re the blood measurements: My WBCs are 1.7L, and the RBCs are 2.52L. I would lie to be able to better relate to such comments as “Hgb above 8”, compared to my HGB being 97L.
I am under the impression that treatments for my condition are limited due to being informed that HEPO, for instance, with high HGB could lead to a stroke, or that blood transfusions could accelerate the leukemia cells, whereas a stem cell transplant is too risky due to the risk of infection and my age.
In any event, you have already provided with lots of information, and I am grateful. BTW, I just got up from a nap. Your turn. 😊 Merci.
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Hi @jps01, I have to admit one of the most difficult things for me is to relent and take a nap! I think I read in an earlier comment of yours that it’s embarrassing now to need naps. I hear you! It feels like I’m admitting defeat or worse yet, I might miss something! 😅
‘Listen to your body’ was a mantra repeated over and over by my transplant team. Ha, sometimes I have selective hearing for my body but I have learned to eventually give in and take breaks more frequently. So I’m happy to hear you’re taking naps because they have recuperative powers.
Regarding your blood numbers. Many of the blood perimeters in the US are reported in deciliters (dL)
Yours from Canada appear to be labeled on a full liter basis. To convert those results over to US numbers, divide by 10. Your numbers:
WBC 1.7L = .17dL.
RBC 2.52L = .25 dL
HGB 97L = 9.7 dL
I hope you find this little trick helpful. At least it will get you on the same page with comparison of blood results.
You mentioned a bone marrow transplant; I mentor at my local oncology center for patients who have AML, MDS or other blood conditions and will require a bone marrow transplant. Last summer there was a gentleman of 75 who had a transplant and he is doing fabulously. So never say never. ☺️ However, it is a rigorous undertaking and requires some heavy chemotherapy…and infection is a risk. But, there are some newer lighter chemotherapies which are proving to be really helpful for patients who aren’t able to do a transplant. They’re in the literature links I posted. But like I said before, you’re not needing any treatment now and this may not even change.
From my experience I don’t believe getting blood transfusions will accelerate leukemia cells. It won’t treat the root cause of the proliferation of immature white blood cells called blasts, but it would give you a boost of red blood cells if yours were depleting quickly. The white blood cells eventually overcrowd the red cells to the point where a transfusion is required. Transfusions aren’t sustainable long term. So if you get to that point where you’re needing frequent blood transfusions, a treatment plan would most likely be suggested to stop the progression/proliferation of cancer cells.
Now it’s my time to nap. If you run out of articles I can always find more for you. ☺️