Update on My Dad
Last Tuesday, my Dad went to see a specialist named, Dr. David Siegel, who is at Hackensack University Medical Center. Fortunately, my brother, Bryan, and I were both able to be there, so we could hear, firsthand, the details of my father's prognosis.
It's a bit complicated, so I will try to be accurate, and brief. He has myelin, and/or a 20%-30% plasma cell count in his blood. This percentage is not that high, relatively speaking, and is truthful via a certain steroid; however, he does have an acute stage of osteoporosis, for which he is receiving a once monthly bone marrow drip (as an outpatient). Dr. Siegel is questioning the cause of the osteoporosis, as he is not certain the plasma cell growth is causing it, so he is running a test to see if it could be due to low testosterone. Low testosterone can be treated, as well. If it's not the testosterone, then Dr. Siegel is going to assume it's being caused by the plasma cell growth, and take a more aggressive approach to reducing the plasma cells.
In addition to all of this, my Dad also has a low platelet count, and Dr. Siegel also ran a test to see if he can find what is causing that. So, as you can see, there are several things going on simultaneously, and require attention and treatment. We should learn more this week when the test results are back, and when we do, I'll write another update.
Love,
Sharon
It's a bit complicated, so I will try to be accurate, and brief. He has myelin, and/or a 20%-30% plasma cell count in his blood. This percentage is not that high, relatively speaking, and is truthful via a certain steroid; however, he does have an acute stage of osteoporosis, for which he is receiving a once monthly bone marrow drip (as an outpatient). Dr. Siegel is questioning the cause of the osteoporosis, as he is not certain the plasma cell growth is causing it, so he is running a test to see if it could be due to low testosterone. Low testosterone can be treated, as well. If it's not the testosterone, then Dr. Siegel is going to assume it's being caused by the plasma cell growth, and take a more aggressive approach to reducing the plasma cells.
In addition to all of this, my Dad also has a low platelet count, and Dr. Siegel also ran a test to see if he can find what is causing that. So, as you can see, there are several things going on simultaneously, and require attention and treatment. We should learn more this week when the test results are back, and when we do, I'll write another update.
Love,
Sharon
posted by Sharon McGrail at 5:57 PM
