Platelets are what???

449! Yup, that's the platelet count today. That's actually slightly above the high end of normal (400), but normal enough. After again running a fever and feeling ill on Sunday and Monday, following last Saturday's Rituxan, Eric has felt exceptionally well this week. Heading in for blood work this morning he had a good feeling because he's felt so much better-- and it seems with good reason.

That good news brings a few changes in treatment. The Romiplostom injection was cancelled for today since it has obviously worked quite well already. The Prednisone will be cut back an additional 10 mg daily, now down to 40 mg from the original 60. It will be cut by 10 mg weekly each Saturday until completely stopped. The weekly Rituxan will continue as scheduled tomorrow.

Blood work will be done again on Wednesday, 2/12, at which time we'll see if the high level of platelets is being sustained. Dr. A will be looking to determine if it's the Rituxan or the Romiplostom-- or both-- that's responsible for the increased platelets so he can continue to treat the ITP accordingly.

Eric also has his monthly visit with his lymphoma doctor, Dr. S., on Wednesday. At that time we'll talk about scheduling another PET scan and bone marrow biopsy to have the disease re-staged and to see how it's responding to treatment. While the schedule usually goes out for a month to six weeks, there's nothing else on it (except the monthly chemo treatments through May) until Eric is seen by Dr. S. The next chemo is next Saturday, 2/15.

Thankful for a good news day!

Maureen