Onward

Keith's platelet count has recovered very handsomely and we have started the next round of chemo.

Minor Speed Bump

The blood work we did early this week indicated that Keith's platelet count had fallen below the threshold recommended for chemo. As a result, we are delaying the start of this round of Temodar(initially scheduled for last Tuesday) until his counts have recovered.

Just to refresh your high school biology, platelets assist in blood clotting action. Too few platelets expose the patient to the risk of bruising and uncontrolled bleeding. Chemotherapy and radiation, because they generally attack fast growing cells within the body, often have the ironic side effect of depressing the levels of both red and white blood cells. Moreover, because both therapies are subject to a half-life which stretches beyond a month, they are cumulative; the effect on the blood also accumulates with progressive cycles. As a result, patients undergoing chemo are monitored closely for levels of a variety of blood components - and we follow the ebb and flow of these components as we work through each month's chemo cycle.

Keith's platelet level (85,000)while low, is not at any sort of danger level. The delay is preemptive as we do not want any further erosion which might put him at risk or trigger the need for a transfusion. We are eager to move forward but accept that a few days of delay will allow his body to catch up with all of the good treatment we have done so far.