HewRon@aol.com wrote:
>
> Dear Marty and Barb,
>
> Thank you for your concern. And thanks for keeping us up to date on how
> things are going with you, Barb.
>
> Concerning neupogen. While I was taking it, which directly followed the first
> period of consolidation, I had quite a few blood tests, as a result of which
> I had several transfusions, mainly of platelets. It happened that at that
> time my hematologist went on vacation for a couple of weeks, but he left
> instructions with a fellow hematologist for me to have as many blood counts
> as necessary during his absence. As I recall, I had about five, as a result
> of which I received several transfusions. Before he went on vacation, my
> doctor told me this would probably be necessary. It's a bit like a juggling
> act with blood cells.
>
> Now, I dislike the whole idea of transfusions, but I had countless and
> various transfusions during my initial five-week initiation. Of course one's
> gratitude to those who have volunteered their blood is profound. They may
> well save one's life. The uneasiness about transfusions arises in part from
> the danger of chance infection with AIDS, which, despite the the improved
> situation, is, according to the latest special issue of Time, "Heroes of
> Medicine", one in 500,000 for each transfusion. This special issue of Time is
> interesting in many ways, and I recommend it. Especially interesting is the
> idea of bloodless surgery. But I digress.
>
> It was, I believe, after I had stopped injecting myself -- ten times -- that
> the blood count shot up, and I suppose the transfusions may have had
> something to do with the acceptable platelet count.
Dear Ron,
I admire and am in awe of how you articulate the facts about many topics
that stem back to cancer. I am also in awe of your courageous
determination to do the things for yourself in order to rid your body of
the disease. My Barb also had numerous transfusions. The more you take
chemo or any conventional treatment the harder it is for the bone marrow
to come back and make red and white and platelet cells. therefore the
necessity to administer transfusions. We have been reassured that the
possibility of acuiring the aids virus is minimal and when Barb and I
were in Spain, she also needed a transfusion and we were assured there,
that the chance of acquiring the aids virus was even more remote than
the blood received in the U.S. oddly enough. So, we have focused on the
idea that if she needs a transfusion not to worry about "what if" but
that the new blood is a friend and one of healing. I know its a
concern, but it is one that may never happen and for now you and i and
all the rest are trying to concentrate on just getting well. thanks for
your message on the transfusions.
YOu may still only want to give yourself 9 shots of neuopogen and a cbc
every 4th day to monitor so that event does not occur in the future.
Just a thought. YOu certainly are determined and one to be admired. Keep
up the great work.
God Bless you
marty
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