Ok, I'll try to keep it quick.
We got to see the hematologist today (yes!) and his conclusion with the surgeon and cardiologist was that surgery could maybe wait a max of about 2-4 months, and it seems like Piper's WBC count was not going to go up, so we need to take the bone marrow/G-CSF route.
He believes Piper has Autoimmune Neutropenia, though he can't be positive. He is thinking 90% for sure. There is a 10% chance it could be myelodysplasia, but I won't go there.
It could go away tomorrow or in a few years, so we can't wait for that to happen.
This means that she will have to have some of the drug G-CSF during her surgery to help boost
boost her WBC. She will also have to have it for about 2 weeks after surgery, too. She will also
have to have a few trial doses prior to surgery just to make sure it is doing what it should be
doing.
This means more hospital days, which we are actually getting pretty good at. It's all about
packing lots of toys, snacks and putting it all in a backpack.
We are booked for the 1st of March for a bone marrow biopsy, and that will really solidify
surgery plans (which is booked for the 23rd of March). The bone marrow biopsy will just
take a local anaesthetic and the procedure itself will only take about a minute (with a
hollow needle), but it will be a day-long thing, as she will need to recover a bit.
So today was a much shorter day at the hospital, out in less than 4 hours and we
even got to watch Canada get their second Olympic gold! Hoorah! Piper is acting
much more like herself already, so it was either the end of whatever she had, or
the antibiotics worked. We'll never know. But she seems better now. We will have
to clamp down a bit on her exposure the things again, especially kids, and sick
people and places. Not fun, but kinda necessary for this next little while.
Anyways, we are home now, and happy to be so! And hopefully this is all behind us!
Glad to hear Piper is acting more herself :) I see she's enjoying a snuggle in Mommy's arms, a safe place to be. Thanks for the update. Your perseverance and patience inspire us.
ReplyDeletePerseverance is not a long race; it is many short races, one after another.
- Walter Elliott
You've got quite the little trooper! Glad it wasn't too painful of an experience yesterday!
ReplyDeleteIn spite of the seriousness( is that a word?) of your stories ......you really make me laugh Frances. I absolutely am sooooo inspired by your outlook and way of handling things. ( lovely comments on the parking) Piper is very blessed to have you as a Mom.
ReplyDeleteHow smart you were to check by the Cardiology ward and get her to Emerg so promptly. Ah Emerg. ......I know what you mean about just getting into the waiting mode. We have spent some long days there with Missy too and you just have to hunker down and find some way to cope with hunger, thirst, boredom, fear and frustration. Praying lots for your precious Piper.
Love Laurie( Jana's Mom)