One Down, Umpteen to Go

Was it really only a week ago that we thought the only thing we had to figure out was why Jimmie's anemia was hanging on?

We saw the hematologist this afternoon, but left with more questions than answers.  He told us immediately that they were able to rule out Multiple Myeloma (a type of blood cancer), but the doctor declared he was not happy about some of the other results.  There were so many numbers on so many items that it was quickly a blur, but the doctor said a couple of items indicated there is a lot of inflammation somewhere in Jimmie’s body and another value indicated there is a problem in his bones.  He has ordered still more testing  – more blood workup today and 2 scans next week, a full body cat scan and a bone scan with a dye.  They set up to do both next Thursday so that’s going to be a long day.

Parathyroidism could still be the culprit, but the parathyroid test had not been done.  It seems that it falls into the endocrinologist field – and the endocrinologist didn’t do it Wednesday because he assumed the hematologist had already done it.  There was annoyed head –shaking by more than just the hematologist today.  Specialists are great, but sometimes just a shade too specialized for me.  But the hematologist ordered the blood work today after talking to us, which meant that Jimmie had to be stuck twice.  If they continue to take blood every time we walk in the door Jimmie will be needing transfusions for sure, especially since his hemoglobin level had fallen again today.  But at least they have now determined for sure that this is iron-deficiency anemia so Jimmie is to go back on the prescription iron.  It is a new version of iron, though, so hopefully it won’t make him as sick as the other did.

But despite all that Jimmie actually said he felt a bit better today.


- Linda