Friday, June 22, 2007

Update

I had a second set of blood tests 10 days after the first. The results were worse. In addition my doctor checked for a vitamin deficiency and I had the lowest result she's ever seen, off the bottom of the lab's scale. We're treating that.

There's no question: I have either chronic lymphocytic leukemia or damage to my bone marrow from a medication I take for auto-immune disorders. Either way, the effect on my body is the same. Defective white cells are accumulating in my body, I don't have enough effective white cells to fight infection and I'm anemic because the bone marrow can't produce enough red cells. As a result of the anemia I feel tired, even when I first get up. I also have some new aches and pains due to the accumulations.

Staging of leukemia is based on lab results and physical findings. One of the commonly used scales runs from 0 to 4; I'm at 3.

This kind of leukemia can be managed but not cured. I've read stories online of patients living 30+ years with it. Getting to that point is not necessarily a pleasant process.

If it's a response to the medication the damage can be reversed. It takes two to three months off the medication; we would have to find another way to treat the auto-immune disorder. It has already caused damage to my eyes three times and my lungs once; I'd rather avoid that.

The referral to a hematologist came through with no problem. My appointment is July 18. Yes, they know that my doctor diagnosed leukemia. I'm on the cancellation list.

This all sounds rather somber, but I haven't lost my sense of humor. There are benefits to being diagnosed with leukemia: now I can take a nap whenever I feel like it without feeling guilty about the housework I'm ignoring. It's a relief to know why I've been so tired and lacking motivation during the longest days of the year. I consider it good news that this type of leukemia is not treated with a bone marrow transplant. And I'm getting in lots of Scripture Study while I rest.

I was planning to move July 20-21; that's off.

I've discontinued mystery shopping except for two clients. One, because they're easy shops, pay well and don't require eating fast food, the other because I'm going to buy gasoline anyway, I might as well get paid for it.

Saturday, June 9, 2007

In the beginning...

Last month I asked my doctor to check my iron level. My iron level is fine; I'm anemic because I have leukemia.

Actually, there's a small chance that it's not leukemia.

If it's leukemia I have chronic lymphocytic leukemia:

Mayo clinic info on CLL
NIH info
Other (WebMD) info

If it's not leukemia then I have something else that is causing the same changes to my bone marrow, and the same symptoms, possibly one of the drugs I take. Unfortunately, it's the drug I take to prevent my auto-immune disorders from destroying my eyes, kidneys and lungs.

Stay tuned...