Bone Marrow Biopsy Required

We just got back from Lori’s follow up Hematologist visit. As I posted in the Emergency Room post Lori’s WBC count dropped. Today it has dropped a bit more again. The Doctor wants to do a Bone Marrow Biopsy to see if there is anything else going on. The Doctors lack of confidence left us feeling a bit apprehensive about the whole thing. We did however schedule the biopsy and the follow up visit. As soon as we left I immediately called Dr Tumlin on his cell phone to discuss it with him.

Dr T. had to call me back after he was finished with his patient. He called back within a few minutes and assured me that Lori’s low WBC count was not related to her chemotherapy treatments. There was some doubt of this 2 months ago when the problem 1st came up but, according to Dr. T., the chemo would no longer be effecting her blood. It has been almost three months since Lori’s last treatment.

Dr. T. in very confidant that the low WBC count is due to Lori’s Lupus. He did say that he agreed that Lori should have the bone marrow biopsy. He “concurred with the Hematologists course of action at this time.” He did want to see Lori up in Atlanta to review the results of the biopsy and resume treatment for the Nephritis.

At this time the plan is “no more chemotherapy” (hooray!). Dr T. agreed with me that doing the sixth treatment at this time would not help much at all. What we are going to do next I have no idea. I guess we will find out in a couple of weeks.

The biopsy is done as an outpatient procedure at the hospital. Here is a link that tells you all about what they do, how they do it, and why it is done. CLICK HERE. We are supposed to have it completed on Tuesday of next week but this is not set quite yet. As soon as it is confirmed I will let everyone know.