Low T-Cell - Bone Marrow Biopsy

Posted by mariabrat @mariabrat, Mar 16, 2021

Hi,

I am 31 year old and just had a bone marrow biopsy. After 4 months of tests : MRI (Brain, Abdomen), CT Scan (Thorax, Throat) and very detailed blood test at the hematologist including autoimmune disease, HIV, tropical diseases, viruses nothing was found.

The only symptoms I have is slightly enlarged spleen, on and off chest and throat discomfort/cough, extreme tiredness in the morning. One day I feel fine, one day I don't feel great. It feels like "something is getting activated" except the tiredness remain constant.

Since the T-Cell are extremely low but everything else is perfectly fine (pallets, red blood cells, immunoglobulin, protein levels) they are not "TOO" worried about cancer but they still wanted to rule it out with a bone marrow examination. I am extremely worried and I can't sleep, thinking I might have cancer.

If you have any opinions, advices or tips, I would highly appreciated.

Maria

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@peach414144

Thank you Teresa. My medical team consists of a cancer doctor (oncologist). My blood is tested monthly. Nothing helps, whether it be b-12 pills or shots, and others. Seems only watching for symptoms and trying their best. I think more discoveries should be attempted, research, whatever. Since September 2020 through December 2020 I have been admitted into the hospital nine times. For serious things such as sepsis, bleeding out rectally (digestive tract) for two weeks and other serious whatevers. Now this heart pain is a new one but I really think it is from the pancytopenia. When the cells that carry oxygen to the heart drop lower than what the heart needs I think that this pain will occur. I am not a doctor but it makes sense. However the doctors at the hospital will not listen to me. Sorry about all the complaints but this life. (and life thratening?) Back to the television as I must escape from reality for a while.

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@peach414144, Peach, have you ever been given blood transfusions for your Pancytopenia? Just curious. 😉

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@peach414144

You are correct in all you have written to me, I thank you for it is like going to a psychiatrist for help. Some one listened to me and it helps to keep the mind frame intact. This site does work as we all know, Love Peach

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@peach414144

I'm glad that you find help here on Connect. We are here to listen to your thoughts and support you!

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@loribmt

@peach414144, Peach, have you ever been given blood transfusions for your Pancytopenia? Just curious. 😉

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No, never blood transfusions. Perhaps it is known not to help this condition. Or I could access another condition from the new blood. I still continue to eat well and watch TV and enjoy life in between the many pains from the other ailments I have. Some days I am walking and others I am in a wheelchair. What I love doing is helping people, animals, birds, etc. Any little thing is so very enjoyable. My goal is to be aware of any help I can do for others. I have been this way for most of my life and to me I cannot and will not stop. (But I am not an angel.)

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@peach414144

No, never blood transfusions. Perhaps it is known not to help this condition. Or I could access another condition from the new blood. I still continue to eat well and watch TV and enjoy life in between the many pains from the other ailments I have. Some days I am walking and others I am in a wheelchair. What I love doing is helping people, animals, birds, etc. Any little thing is so very enjoyable. My goal is to be aware of any help I can do for others. I have been this way for most of my life and to me I cannot and will not stop. (But I am not an angel.)

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@peach414144 You made me literally laugh out loud about not being an angel. Oh I can relate…giggle You sound like a very compassionate, intelligent woman and I’m sorry the indignities of aging are your daily companions. You’re an inspiration for pushing beyond your comfort limits to keep going!

Enjoying the little things in life is such a huge reward. Helping people, relishing the company of birds, critters, and all that nature gives us provides us with a wonderful buffer from negative thoughts.
I hope you have a delightful day. Lori.

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@loribmt

@peach414144 You made me literally laugh out loud about not being an angel. Oh I can relate…giggle You sound like a very compassionate, intelligent woman and I’m sorry the indignities of aging are your daily companions. You’re an inspiration for pushing beyond your comfort limits to keep going!

Enjoying the little things in life is such a huge reward. Helping people, relishing the company of birds, critters, and all that nature gives us provides us with a wonderful buffer from negative thoughts.
I hope you have a delightful day. Lori.

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Yes you are correct about the indignities especially when it comes from the medical field. Otherwise: People will be people and I must suck it up. Thank you Peach

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@loribmt

@peach414144 You made me literally laugh out loud about not being an angel. Oh I can relate…giggle You sound like a very compassionate, intelligent woman and I’m sorry the indignities of aging are your daily companions. You’re an inspiration for pushing beyond your comfort limits to keep going!

Enjoying the little things in life is such a huge reward. Helping people, relishing the company of birds, critters, and all that nature gives us provides us with a wonderful buffer from negative thoughts.
I hope you have a delightful day. Lori.

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Thank you Lori, I appreciate.

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@peach414144

Yes you are correct about the indignities especially when it comes from the medical field. Otherwise: People will be people and I must suck it up. Thank you Peach

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@peach414144 I’m really so sorry you’ve had such a negative experience with medical treatments over the years. It’s understandable to have a less than stellar feeling towards any doctors, nurses, etc., if you’ve lost faith in the entire profession. And I know you’re not alone as your story is repeated often by other members in our Connect community.

I’ve only had one small exposure to a doctor being dismissive. It really was disconcerting when my simple cough turned out to be something truly life threatening. A simple blood test, either of the the first 2 weeks I had visits with her, would have told her I was in serious trouble. Even though I kept telling her I’ve never felt this sick in my life. The 3rd week she was still dismissive until she heard pneumonia in my chest and my husband insisted on blood work. Results came in later that afternoon. I had Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Had I not been rushed to the hospital that afternoon, my oncologist told me I wouldn’t have made it until morning. So I can certainly understand your reluctance.

However, in all fairness and defense of the vast majority of medical professionals, I have to give support from the other perspective. With personal experience over my lifetime, that situation was limited to one doctor. The past 2 years I’ve quite literally had hundreds of medical care providers working with me in my lengthy hospital stays, treatments for AML, my bone marrow transplant, oncologists/hematologists, transplant doctors and team, neurologists, allergists, NP, PAs, RNs, etc.. Not one ever treated me with less than dignity and respect. I was an integral part in all of my treatments and discussion making. So I can’t let one bad apple spoil the whole bunch. (Oh, now cue Michael Jackson! 🎶)

Peach, I am just so saddened by your treatment. It breaks my heart when people are ignored or given the bum’s rush or not taken seriously. I wish I had answers for you besides changing doctors. Which I know isn’t always that easy to do. I’m so reassured though with your positivity. You are another person who is inspirational in persevering.

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@loribmt

@peach414144 I’m really so sorry you’ve had such a negative experience with medical treatments over the years. It’s understandable to have a less than stellar feeling towards any doctors, nurses, etc., if you’ve lost faith in the entire profession. And I know you’re not alone as your story is repeated often by other members in our Connect community.

I’ve only had one small exposure to a doctor being dismissive. It really was disconcerting when my simple cough turned out to be something truly life threatening. A simple blood test, either of the the first 2 weeks I had visits with her, would have told her I was in serious trouble. Even though I kept telling her I’ve never felt this sick in my life. The 3rd week she was still dismissive until she heard pneumonia in my chest and my husband insisted on blood work. Results came in later that afternoon. I had Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Had I not been rushed to the hospital that afternoon, my oncologist told me I wouldn’t have made it until morning. So I can certainly understand your reluctance.

However, in all fairness and defense of the vast majority of medical professionals, I have to give support from the other perspective. With personal experience over my lifetime, that situation was limited to one doctor. The past 2 years I’ve quite literally had hundreds of medical care providers working with me in my lengthy hospital stays, treatments for AML, my bone marrow transplant, oncologists/hematologists, transplant doctors and team, neurologists, allergists, NP, PAs, RNs, etc.. Not one ever treated me with less than dignity and respect. I was an integral part in all of my treatments and discussion making. So I can’t let one bad apple spoil the whole bunch. (Oh, now cue Michael Jackson! 🎶)

Peach, I am just so saddened by your treatment. It breaks my heart when people are ignored or given the bum’s rush or not taken seriously. I wish I had answers for you besides changing doctors. Which I know isn’t always that easy to do. I’m so reassured though with your positivity. You are another person who is inspirational in persevering.

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Dear Lori You were explicit with your reply and I agree with you in all respects. I still I feel sorry in a way for the doctors as they do have so much on their shoulders with so many patients and so many diagnoses. What I think is so very important is: (and perhaps I am not correct but here goes): I think that the schooling given to the doctors now is not as good or in depth as in the past. Who can address this issue and who can bring it up to whomever? Would I dare? I am not that crazy as yet.

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@loribmt

@peach414144 I’m really so sorry you’ve had such a negative experience with medical treatments over the years. It’s understandable to have a less than stellar feeling towards any doctors, nurses, etc., if you’ve lost faith in the entire profession. And I know you’re not alone as your story is repeated often by other members in our Connect community.

I’ve only had one small exposure to a doctor being dismissive. It really was disconcerting when my simple cough turned out to be something truly life threatening. A simple blood test, either of the the first 2 weeks I had visits with her, would have told her I was in serious trouble. Even though I kept telling her I’ve never felt this sick in my life. The 3rd week she was still dismissive until she heard pneumonia in my chest and my husband insisted on blood work. Results came in later that afternoon. I had Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Had I not been rushed to the hospital that afternoon, my oncologist told me I wouldn’t have made it until morning. So I can certainly understand your reluctance.

However, in all fairness and defense of the vast majority of medical professionals, I have to give support from the other perspective. With personal experience over my lifetime, that situation was limited to one doctor. The past 2 years I’ve quite literally had hundreds of medical care providers working with me in my lengthy hospital stays, treatments for AML, my bone marrow transplant, oncologists/hematologists, transplant doctors and team, neurologists, allergists, NP, PAs, RNs, etc.. Not one ever treated me with less than dignity and respect. I was an integral part in all of my treatments and discussion making. So I can’t let one bad apple spoil the whole bunch. (Oh, now cue Michael Jackson! 🎶)

Peach, I am just so saddened by your treatment. It breaks my heart when people are ignored or given the bum’s rush or not taken seriously. I wish I had answers for you besides changing doctors. Which I know isn’t always that easy to do. I’m so reassured though with your positivity. You are another person who is inspirational in persevering.

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To add an additional and very important item: The attitude, smirks and remarks are not at all professional or even caring. shame

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@peach414144

To add an additional and very important item: The attitude, smirks and remarks are not at all professional or even caring. shame

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@peach414144 After treatment like that, one can only hope Karma pays them a visit later in their lives…just sayin’. I’m sorry you’re being subjected to that level of inconsideration. 😢

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