I haven't posted Ann's labs in a while and I wish I had better ones to post.
WBC 13.7 K/uL (4.4 - 11.0)
ANC 11.15 K/uL (1.7 - 7.30)
PLT 203 K/uL (140 - 400)
RBC 3.34 M/uL (3.5 - 4.4)
HBG 10.9 G/dL (13 - 15)
The problem is pretty clear isn't it? Because Ann's neutrophil count is too high, she is now in a state called "neutrophilia". Considering that neutrophils are the potion of the white blood cell population that defends the body against bacteria and fungi, you would expect that Ann would show some symptoms of being infected with either of those. Namely a fever, a cough or something like that. However, her temperature has remained nailed in the 98's (F) with only minor variations, and she has had no real coughs or respiratory problems to speak of.
So whats gong on? Could this be a relapse? After all this is starting to paint a similar picture to what Ann's counts were before we had to come back to MDA. However, Ann's chimerism tests (performed on 10/6) did come back today and the result is that 100% of her T-cells and 100% of her meylod cells are from her donor. Also the bone marrow biopsy results from a week ago reported that the pathology, PCR and FISH tests were all negative for leukemia. However, our doctor will admit when pushed that these results don't necessarily mean that a early relapse is impossible...just that its unlikely.
Rather than focus on the worst I have formed a working theory, which I'm going to hope is right in this case. Since the conditioning regime Ann has had a "inside-out" sunburn. Where the innermost layers of skin suffered damage from the chemo and the dark patches have become more apparent as the upper layers of skin are worn off. This is essentially a chemical burn, and Ann says it itches as it begins to peel. Neutrophils can be stimulated by tissue necrosis, like damaged cells from chemo or burns. In addition Ann just recently stopped taking oral cellcept (immune suppressant) this Saturday.
When Ann relapsed last time it was in the presence of not just an elevated neutrophil count, but a constant and chronic low grade fever as well, which she doesn’t have this time. Her blood work also shows a high percentage of monocytes (the body's clean up crew). So I'm theorizing that the elevated neutrophil count is a response to the chemo burns and dead tissue left behind from the transplant, and is appearing now that some of the immune suppression has been discontinued.
Sounds good...and I hope I'm right. I didn’t get to ask Dr. Kebriaei about this (formulated it after clinic), but when I did ask her what was causing the neutrophilia she basically said she didn’t know. She did however, point out that we have "lots to worry about and we should enjoy our time while we have it". Needless to say that felt like a giant bucket of cold water being dumped on both of us.
Neither of us said much on the walk out of MDA, as we both felt shell shocked and demoralized. When we got in the car I made an obligatory phone cail to family to let them know what was going on. During which my Mom asked Ann what was going on. Then Ann recited what Dr. Kebriaei had told us for the first time out-loud, and tears began to well in her eyes. I stopped the car and held her as tightly as I dared without damaging her central catheter.
"That hurt saying out loud" she choked into my shoulder.
"I know. I'm sorry."
"We've just fought so hard...I don't want to die!"
"We aren't giving up...ever", I said.
Then I kissed her, and tried to let her know how completely I love her.
WBC 13.7 K/uL (4.4 - 11.0)
ANC 11.15 K/uL (1.7 - 7.30)
PLT 203 K/uL (140 - 400)
RBC 3.34 M/uL (3.5 - 4.4)
HBG 10.9 G/dL (13 - 15)
The problem is pretty clear isn't it? Because Ann's neutrophil count is too high, she is now in a state called "neutrophilia". Considering that neutrophils are the potion of the white blood cell population that defends the body against bacteria and fungi, you would expect that Ann would show some symptoms of being infected with either of those. Namely a fever, a cough or something like that. However, her temperature has remained nailed in the 98's (F) with only minor variations, and she has had no real coughs or respiratory problems to speak of.
So whats gong on? Could this be a relapse? After all this is starting to paint a similar picture to what Ann's counts were before we had to come back to MDA. However, Ann's chimerism tests (performed on 10/6) did come back today and the result is that 100% of her T-cells and 100% of her meylod cells are from her donor. Also the bone marrow biopsy results from a week ago reported that the pathology, PCR and FISH tests were all negative for leukemia. However, our doctor will admit when pushed that these results don't necessarily mean that a early relapse is impossible...just that its unlikely.
Rather than focus on the worst I have formed a working theory, which I'm going to hope is right in this case. Since the conditioning regime Ann has had a "inside-out" sunburn. Where the innermost layers of skin suffered damage from the chemo and the dark patches have become more apparent as the upper layers of skin are worn off. This is essentially a chemical burn, and Ann says it itches as it begins to peel. Neutrophils can be stimulated by tissue necrosis, like damaged cells from chemo or burns. In addition Ann just recently stopped taking oral cellcept (immune suppressant) this Saturday.
When Ann relapsed last time it was in the presence of not just an elevated neutrophil count, but a constant and chronic low grade fever as well, which she doesn’t have this time. Her blood work also shows a high percentage of monocytes (the body's clean up crew). So I'm theorizing that the elevated neutrophil count is a response to the chemo burns and dead tissue left behind from the transplant, and is appearing now that some of the immune suppression has been discontinued.
Sounds good...and I hope I'm right. I didn’t get to ask Dr. Kebriaei about this (formulated it after clinic), but when I did ask her what was causing the neutrophilia she basically said she didn’t know. She did however, point out that we have "lots to worry about and we should enjoy our time while we have it". Needless to say that felt like a giant bucket of cold water being dumped on both of us.
Neither of us said much on the walk out of MDA, as we both felt shell shocked and demoralized. When we got in the car I made an obligatory phone cail to family to let them know what was going on. During which my Mom asked Ann what was going on. Then Ann recited what Dr. Kebriaei had told us for the first time out-loud, and tears began to well in her eyes. I stopped the car and held her as tightly as I dared without damaging her central catheter.
"That hurt saying out loud" she choked into my shoulder.
"I know. I'm sorry."
"We've just fought so hard...I don't want to die!"
"We aren't giving up...ever", I said.
Then I kissed her, and tried to let her know how completely I love her.