7 weeks, 5 Days - Test Time...Too Much of A Good Thing

Today I went in for the second "UNDIE" test.  Will the virus be undetectable this time?  I sure hope so!  The sooner I'm an "undie"  the lower the chance of a relapse once treatment stops.  We never want to see this virus again!

I should hear the viral load results sometime on Monday.  The goal: undetectable!  Last month my viral load dropped from 5.5 million to less than 43.  AMAZING!  That means these powerful pharmaceuticals are doing their job.  Hopefully it will be even better news this time!  I'll definitely keep you posted.

I did receive the basic test results back for my complete blood count (CBC).  The results: TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING...


The good thing is that treatment is available to kill this stubborn blood virus, and I am able to take it. However, too much of this good thing has caused my blood counts to be too low.  My white blood cells have plummeted to an all time low and my red blood cells are below the safe range for treatment to continue as prescribed.

My overall white blood count (WBC) is 2.4.
Normal is 4.3-10.8.
Neutrophils (white blood cells that make up 50-60% of all white blood cells) are 0.19.
Normal is 2.5-7.5.
My hemoglobin (red blood cells) is 10.6
Normal is 12 or higher.

The goal isn't to bring my numbers into normal range. The goal is to raise this numbers enough to resume treatment without killing me. :-/ That's how it goes when on chemotherapy! ;-)

I'm in no panic, just mentally adjusting to life on this long term treatment.  I was told not to take my weekly injection Sunday (interferon) and my oral ribavirin has been reduced as well.

I'm grateful Mayo medical staff is keeping a close eye on my blood.  It's important I stay alive, in my opinion.  ;-D

I'm pretty tired, more than I had been up to this point. And I have sore muscles, as if I was lifting weights or something.  Weird.

All in all, I'm able to most tasks and I'm learning to listen to my body when I need to rest or slow down.

My awesome group of friends, family and support help me press on and our conversations often energize me.  For that I'm grateful.

Living in fear is working hard not to lose in the end. Living by faith is knowing I will win in the end. A faithful life is a free one. A fearful life is a defeated one. - Me