Topics

Monday, April 18, 2011

April Showers Bring...Platelets!

We haven't posted in awhile--but everything is still going pretty well. Our last clinic visit was Wednesday, April 13th. Rachel received Retuxan, the IV med that binds with her B-cells and makes it so they will stop making antibodies (which kill off her platelets!). That was the last of 4 doses she's had over the last 4 weeks. Now we just watch and wait and hope that her platelets continue to rise. The bone marrow doctors said that occasionally it takes another course of treatment if antibodies are still being produced. We're hopeful that we're in the 50% that doesn't need additional treatments! Her platelets were 67 last weekt (from 41 the week before) so we are making slow progress!

As you saw on our last post, her hair is coming in thick and curly! Yahoo! She can't wait for it to grow a little longer. She gets tired of trying to explain to random people that she's a "she" not a "he!" (Most of them are under the age of 10.) Thanks for all of your continued prayers and support!
--Marie

4 comments:

  1. Hey, Andrew will trade platelets for neutrophils. He's got 400,000 plts/uL, but no neutros. If only :) Good to hear things are looking up!

    ReplyDelete
  2. glad at least that round is done for you. here's hoping your platelets are back to normal!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, you sound just like me Rachel! My hair grew in darker and curlier and it is wonderful!!! I got soooooo many comments from young kids about my hair and I just ended up wearing hats because my kids would get so embarrassed about it. But soon you will be able to put a cute flower in your short, curly hair and it will be wonderful!!!!!
    Hopefully, you won't need extra meds for your platelets to get with the program, but I am glad you are progressing.
    My little friend, Breanna Pena, died on Feb. 12, right before her bone marrow transplant, she was soooooooo close!! But, I love watching you and seeing how wonderful your progression is. I am sure Breanna is chearing for you from the other side of the veil.
    Lots of love from your fellow cancer friend,
    Christa Johnson

    ReplyDelete
  4. Okay, I won't whine about the rain any more if it is bringing Rachel platelets. I'll pray for a monsoon! Love you, Rach!

    ReplyDelete