White Blood Cells Are Normal. Is this Good or Bad?

You may or may not know that my sweet Rachel underwent spinal surgery to remove a benign tumor that was inside her backbone, pressing on her spinal cord. We first identified the tumor (called a schwannoma) 20 months ago, at the beginning of 2024, but delayed surgery until just three weeks ago. It is a major, and very risky, surgery.

Also, during the "tumor time" from January 2024 until now, Rachel's blood numbers have steadily decreased, and the hematologist identified the problem as MDS with increased blasts, progressing toward AML.

The surgery was a major success, and Rachel is now recovering in the Rehab center. After two blood draws by the Rehab docs, Rachel's blood numbers have all improved after the surgery. Praise the Lord!

Now the question. Rachel's WBC numbers reached into the normal zone for the first time in 20 months (see chart). Now the WBC count is 4.4. Until last week, her WBC counts ranged far below normal, from about 1.0 to about 3.0.

Is this good or bad?

A visiting hematologist said "Your bone marrow is responding positively to the surgery." One nurse said "You must have a significant infection which is pushing your WBC count up rapidly."

We won't see Rachel's hematologist until she is discharged from Rehab. Do you have any ideas in the meantime?

Here is some additional data that may be helpful:

- Rachel was off Oxycodone 2 weeks after surgery
- Rachel’s back and side pain are gone
- Tingling in legs and feet may be less, but not sure about this
- Vital signs are all good
- Eating and drinking like crazy, bathroom ok
- Standing up straight, thinking clearly
- Walking and maneuvering are much better
- ID doctor says a UTI from the foley is gone (based on symptoms, not tests)
- Platelets are back to normal range
- Hemoglobin is moving up; Retacrit shots continue weekly
- Neutrophils still extremely low (200 per uL)
- I am not sure about blasts, they don’t always appear in CBC readings