First Report from the BMB

The initial report from the Bone Marrow Biopsy seems to confirm most of what we already know about my condition, with a few more details and hundred dollar words. The summary diagnosis includes:

• The bone marrow core is hypercellular with estimated cellularity approaching 90 with trilineage hyperplasia.
  
• Blood shows leukocytosis and erythrocytosis.
  
• No significant increase in myelofibrosis. (This is GREAT news. YEAYYY!!!)
  
• Iron stores absent. (helps explain the fatigue)
  
• Hypochromic microcytic anemia. (helps explain the fatigue)
  

The myeloid to erythroid ratio is 1:2. There does appear to be progressive maturation of the myeloid, erythroid, and megakaryocytic cell lines. The megakaryocytes are increased. There is hypolobation of the nucleus. Red cells and granulocytic cells also appear to be increased. However, there appears to be progressive maturation without a significant increase in blast forms.

The blood shows leukocytosis and erythrocytosis; however the MCV is low and the RDW is high. The red cell line shows anisocytosis and is hypochromic (low iron).

The microcytic anemia could be due to the alpha thalassemia and/or iron deficiency.

Bone Marrow Item: Units Reference Range

Blasts 4.2 (H) (0.1 – 1.7)

Bands 6.8 (L) (9.4 – 15.4)

Rubriblasts 3.0 (H) (0.1 – 1.1)

Prorubricytes 6.0 (H) (0.4 – 2.4)

Rubricytes 35.2 (H) (13.1 – 30.1)

Metarubricytes 4.2 (H) (0.3 – 3.7)

Total Erythroid 48.4 (H) (15.0 – 36.2)

Lymphocytes 8.3 (L) (8.6 – 23.8)

15.0 (L) (19.0 – 45.0)

M/E Ratio 0.8:1 (L) (1.1 – 3.5)

Other tests take longer to process, so we'll know more later.

I'm back on the Hydroxyurea (HU) now to keep the hematocrit level under control.

The fatigue continues, and my optimism is on the rise. I'm certainly interested in hearing from other MPNers who will share their thoughts on these test results.

Blessings and peace to you,

Marina

Bone Marrow Biopsy in the Twilight

Talking with other people about the bone marrow biopsy experience brought back memories of women comparing childbirth stories. Everyone has their personal story, and thoughts on how it "should" go. There seems to be a continuum of preferences, from "all natural" to "wake me when it's over."

Since I have a pretty high pain tolerance and don't like anesthesia, I was inclined to just have the local numbing where the needle would be inserted. I decided research this a bit. So I turned to the definitive resource, YouTube. Believe it or not, some people have had their BMBs videotaped! After seeing a couple of patients (with the local anesthetic) cry out in pain and yell at their doctors to "hurry it up!" I decided to go with the "twilight anesthesia."

I decided to find some levity in this upcoming procedure. So I asked my daughter to draw me some "rumper stickers" the night before the big poke. On my right cheek, she wrote "Private Property" and on the left she wrote "Bad 2 the Bone."

When the nurses got me situated on the CT platform, they both seemed surprised when they saw the rump notices. "Let's not tell the doctor -- he'll be surprised!" one of them said to the other. Apparently this does not happen all the time.

The next thing I knew, the twilight juice was flowing and while I think I remember being awake during the procedure, I truly do not know. I could feel some pressure, but it was not at all painful.

It was a long day... we arrived at 9 a.m. for the 11 a.m. procedure. Because of delays in the hospital, my BMB didn't take place until after 1 p.m. After the two hour "observation" period, I was allowed to go home around 4 p.m.

Once we got home, I zonked out for a few more hours.

Now, we must wait for the results -- they should start coming in next week.

The lovenox shots resume again (thanks to Robert and Katrina for shooting me in the belly) as I add the rat poison (warfarin/coumadin) back to my daily diet.

What's that saying? Better living through chemistry.

Yippee!

Bone Marrow Biopsy -- take 1

My bone marrow biopsy is now scheduled for next Thursday at St. Joseph's in Atlanta. From that we will learn how damaged the bone marrow is. It will be a good point and time reference. Hopefully, they will karyotype the chromosomes so we can learn more about the particulars of my disease process. It will also provide info that the docs can use to determine if I might be a candidate for clinical trials as they become available. These myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are still not well-understood.

I've received great encouragement from fellow MPNers through the MPDChat group, so I'm really not nervous about the procedure. The most challenging part will be getting up and arriving at the hospital without my usual dose of caffeine (I am NOT a morning person).

Here's a little ditty I wrote to the tune of "Tomorrow" from Annie the musical.

Ode to the Bone Marrow Biopsy:

The needle will draw
bone marrow
Bet your bony bottom
that tomorrow
Won't be fun

Just thinkin' about
bone marrow
Crunching sounds and
aspirating needle
Hope I'm numb

When I'm stuck in the rump
Feel the thump

Hear the grinding

I just say Hurry Up

BMB

On me...

I have no doubt
bone marrow
will tell me to hang on
'til tomorrow
Tests delayed
Bone marrow! Bone marrow!
I love ya, bone marrow
You're keepin'
the MPNs
at bay