Bryce
Our doctor warned us there’s a good chance I’d visit the ER at some point while getting treated. After 3 rounds it finally happened.
Infection
On Saturday I woke up with a painful bump near my shin and a knot near my groin. I figured the bump was a bug bight and the knot was a random something caused by chemo. Nowadays my body experiences a lot of random somethings that are here one day and gone the next. Sunday brought a larger, more painful bump and knot. I self diagnosed myself with another blood clot but this time in the leg.
To confirm my diagnosis I posted a picture in a ALL facebook group to which a couple members replied they thought it looked like an infection, not blood clot. Their feedback made me question the clot, and I decided to take my temp in case it was an infection. I was running a 101 fever and didn’t even notice it. Leukemia and fevers don’t mix. That’s probably true for other cancers too, but I can’t speak to other cancers. I called the on-call doctor at Highlands Oncology and she recommended I go to the ER; we were already on the way when she returned my call.
ER Visit
The ER was a pleasant experience – 10 out of 10. We walked right in and I was immediately given a room. They did an ultrasound to confirm I didn’t have a blood clot, took an X-ray, and took blood to determine the type of infection. Once the dust settled, the diagnosis was cellulitis (internet 1, Dr. Tritt 0). I wasn’t neutropenic and was released from the ER a couple hours later with antibiotics.
The next day was spent in bed with a 102 fever which wasn’t unenjoyable. I spoke with the on-call nurse at Highlands to ask at what point do I go back to the ER bc my fever keeps climbing and she advised taking Tylenol to manage the fever. The fever finally broke five days later on Thursday, and I’ve felt great the past four or so days. I still have a lump near my groin, but it’s no longer the size of two golf balls and continues to shrink each day. Hoping it’s gone before I finish this cycle and become neutropenic.
MRD Test
Minimal residual disease (MRD) refers to the small number of cancer cells that remain in the body after treatment. The number of remaining cells may be so small that they do not cause any physical signs or symptoms and often cannot even be detected through traditional methods, such as viewing cells under a microscope. More on MRD if anyone is interested: LLS.org
I had a bone marrow biopsy on Thursday and my oncologist ordered a MRD Flow test per the Mayo Clinic’s oncologist’s recommendation (see my last post). We met with Dr. V today and got the results. The MRD test was negative – there’s no sign of cancer. They looked at 10,000 cells and none of them were cancerous. NO SIGN OF CANCER. Which means 1) less chance of relapse, better prognosis and 2) a stem cell transplant isn’t needed at this point. I don’t think I’ve fully processed this news but right now if just feels like relief.
Cycle 2B
Cycle 2B kicks off today. I was admitted a couple hours ago and will be at UAMS the next five(ish) days if all goes well.
Metrics that Matter
- Physical feels: 9/10
- Emotional feels: 10/10
- Hours of chemo: C1A-67.33, C1B-39, C2A-66.33
- Butt: doing well
