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And the doctor says...
"Large granular lymphocyte leukemia"
He gave me a 24 page print-out. 10 pages of nice, dense, medicalese; 6 pages of references, and 9 pages of tables & pictures.
He summarized it as 'chronic, low-level, monitor and treat as needed, with a very high survivability rating'. If treatment is necessary, it will probably be something like one or two pills once or twice a day for three to six months.
Next question - is this a primary disease (which he strongly suspects), or a secondary? Apparently it can be triggered by a number of other diseases, including (but not limited to!) rheumatoid arthritis, viral infections (Epstein-Barr Virus, HBV, HCV, HIV, CMV - anyone recognize the non-HIV ones?), and a variety of other immune related disorders.
More blood was drawn, I have a chest & abdomen CT Scan scheduled for 20 April, and the next follow-up with the doctor is 4 May.
He gave me a 24 page print-out. 10 pages of nice, dense, medicalese; 6 pages of references, and 9 pages of tables & pictures.
He summarized it as 'chronic, low-level, monitor and treat as needed, with a very high survivability rating'. If treatment is necessary, it will probably be something like one or two pills once or twice a day for three to six months.
Next question - is this a primary disease (which he strongly suspects), or a secondary? Apparently it can be triggered by a number of other diseases, including (but not limited to!) rheumatoid arthritis, viral infections (Epstein-Barr Virus, HBV, HCV, HIV, CMV - anyone recognize the non-HIV ones?), and a variety of other immune related disorders.
More blood was drawn, I have a chest & abdomen CT Scan scheduled for 20 April, and the next follow-up with the doctor is 4 May.
no subject
The viruses are:
HBC - hepatitis B virus
HCV - hepatitis C virus
CMV - cytomegalovirus
CMV and Epstein-Barr are both relatives of the herpes virus. They're both very common (95% of adults in America have Epstein-Barr) but typically only cause problems in infants and people with compromised immune systems. (Epstein-Barr is also responsible for one form of mononucleosis.)
All in all, it sounds like pretty positive findings, especially if your doctor thinks this is the primary. Good luck with your followup.
no subject
After all, if it had been something serious, I would have received a phone call a week ago telling me to get in to his office RIGHT NOW!