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Confusing Numbers

By Margot | February 13, 2008

We finally got last weeks VMA/HVA back.  The VMA was exactly the same, 4.4 but the HVA was very high, 15.  It hasn’t been that high since we initially relapsed but at that time  the VMA rose with it.  VMA is less dependant on diet so most doctors put more weight on the VMA number.  We did another blood check today and LDH was 598 (smack dab in the middle of normal which is good) but Sam’s white count was low which is weird.  We started adding another nifurtimox because Sam is growing in weight and height and that may be the reason ANC is low.  Today’s urine test (which I hope we get back by Friday) will tell a lot. If the high HVA was a fluke,  it’ll be back down, if it wasn’t we will probably start to explore some options.  Our next scan is scheduled for March 27th but we are trying to get it moved up.  It was supposed to be in February but Nuc Med is very busy.  Jayne said she would move it up.  The array of strange numbers we have had lately is enough to give me that constant sick feeling in my stomach but there are also numbers, still low VMA and LDH which allow me to rationalize the meaning of the other numbers. We will not flat out panic until we see a definite trend.  Our high veg F came back down.  We really need a scan.

The boys are doing well. Sam and Andy are still loving basketball.  We got stomped again last week but Sam scored which was great and Little Joe had the great quote that “we would have won if we’d had Luke there.”  Such an optimist.  Luke was on vacation.  We’ve had wonderful weather here in the high 70’s and Neil and I took the boys to the beach the other night at sunset and low tide.  It was awesome to watch them running along the wide beach and having so much fun, we walked to the pier and it was a perfect night.  Neil and I are still talking about it and how we need to do it more often.  It strange to live a life of such contrasts.  The highs so high and the lows so low.

Michael Haley died last night.  He does not have a website but please say some prayers and think good thoughts for his family during this tough time.  He was about six months younger than Sam.

 Margot

 

 

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