Shalom, the prelim results of the bone marrow biopsys is out and thank God did not show any extreme abnormalities. As such the doctors will discuss further on Mon, to decide on the 2nd dose of the longer term medication cyclophosphamide. (yawn, yes it's public holiday today, and the doctors want to enjoy their weekends too)
The 3rd dose of rituximab also went in on Friday evening, and slowly yet surely the blood condition seems to be improving. Expensive drug :P but hopefully with your prayers, Shufen will get better and better each day. Amen!
Doctors are also recommending to start a weekly dosage of another long term medication erythropoietin (or EPO in short, sounds like hippo :) from the brief description of the doctors and my solid web surfing skills, EPO is a hormone produced by the kidney that promotes the production of red blood cells by the bone marrow.
Actually through this course, I have picked up quite a few medical terms and researched on medical insurance too. So u can check with me, if u have any queries :) The human body is just so complicated, that only an infinite Creator can understand. The level of medicine and science is just negligible vs infinity.
Another interesting thing which I learnt is that blood is mainly made up of red/white blood cells and plasma. Me being AB+ blood group, a universal blood acceptor (ie can take all types of blood like O, A, B, AB) always feels like the "selfish one". Can only receive but cannot give. Amazingly, we found through the plasma exchange, that for plasma donations, the AB plasma (not blood) is the universal donor (ie can give to all). It is just amazing that God place plasma and red blood together that is exactly opposite, that kinds of balances the entire blood mixture.
We serve an Almighty God! Do also help to keep us in prayer, as our emotions ride like a roller coaster at times. Lord, let our Faith, and Your Fact (based on Your Word) guard over our Feelings. Hallelujah!
Jason & Shufen
2:59 PM