Labs are good!

[sfbaygirl]

I just recieved my labs from yesterday and the Hgb is 14, the ANC is 1.0, the WBC is 2.1 and the platelets are 143! Pretty darn good! I have been off Riba since last wed. and INF the week before that. I am still really tired and sleeping all the time, otherwise I would be yakking at you guys more. Not sure why I am sleeping so much.

I did get one test called prothrombin time (PT) that measures the blood clotting while I am on Coumidin. The test showed I am 18.0 high ref; 12-14 normal. and INR is 1.4 high ref; .90-1.1 normal. I checked online last night trying to figure out what this means, didn't find much help. I am going to the dr. in a few minutes, so hopefully will find out what all this means. If anyone know, I would love an explanation of what high means. I sure wish there was a Medhelp board for blood disorders!

I'll let you know what I find out when I return from the dr.'s

[sfbaygirl]

I had my last INF two weeks ago Wed. I had my last Riba a week ago Wed. The PCR was done on Mon. so only less than a week after I finished the Riba and the INF was supposedly outta my system. When would you get another PCR? Since I have a stack of them, I can pick my time. Thanks!

[sfbaygirl]

Yep, I think we are alike in the antiques and thrift shops. I doubt I want an antique sofa though. I can't remember buying new stuff. I'm off to the Giants/A's game tonight for John's birthday. Thought about staying over there....not sure yet.

[orphanedhawk]

I know I priced out stoves on ebay at one time. We had a cool old Chambers we wanted to sell. Just do a search.
     Do you like Ikea ?  I tend to think you're more like me and like antiques. But I'm sure they have a web site. Macy's isn't a bad idea especially since your pushing for the higher end. I say go to the city and have fun shopping!
   My mom redid our house with furniture from So.Carolina years ago. It was all well made, nice looking and lasted forever. I'm a thrift sale shopper so I'd probably go to craigslist but it means running around all over the bay.
     I'm seeing Dr.F. on the 10th. In fact I may write to you since you seem so energized and bore you with my blood work, no, just viral load and indecision.

[mikesimon]

I'll say it again: CONGRATULATIONS and GOOD LUCK!!
Mike

[sfbaygirl]

I still haven't figured out how to use ebay. Call me a dummy! I am sure the insurance will want the reciepts. I have heard they do have new stuff on ebay. I was wondering about some of those great furniture places in So. Carolina etc. We may go to the city and check out Macy's. I can't think of much else. I hate to spend a bundle on sofas as my kitties still have their claws and love to scratch on them, even tho they have 3 posts!

I am starting to feel better, maybe we can meet up at the duck pond soon!

[sfbaygirl]

Thought I would post my PCR <50 is UND. I stopped INF a week and a half ago and Riba a week ago, so I am hoping that this continues to be UND. Although I had to stop at week 47, I am still hoping for that SVR. I know many here have gotten to SVR without going the whole SOC tx. I will keep you guys updated on this. It's a good thing to know that sometimes even if we can't go the whole way we can achieve SVR.

[FlGuy]

For some perspective in time,  when was the blood draw relative to the last peg and riba.  Sounds like, at most,  it was only a few days after.  Or, was the blood before the last of the nasty stuff?  What a year you've had!

[orphanedhawk]

Not that I have a clue but have you tried e-bay?

[sfbaygirl]

I went to Labsonline the other night and found not a lot of help. The dr's gave me a list of foods, remember the one with hardly any veggies and white bread? My PCP said I could introduce some veggies back in, but we would have to watch the labs to see if they are affected by them. He said it's hard to tell someone not to eat someone not to eat spinich, which is healthy.... Yeah, I still don't get all this stuff and would like to find more out. I am now taking 7.5 warfarin a day. We check again tomorrow to see how it's working. Any other internet sites about this bloodthinner and clotting would be apprieciated. All I hear is how dangerous it all is....

My energy seems to be getting better for more than 5 minutes a day. I am having to replace furniture, sub zero frig and keep my eye on what they are covering. John isn't great at keeping track of all this and many reciepts seem to be lost, so at least I have some energy back to get this togehter. I am using my Medhelp binder idea to put all the stuff from the fire in. Since I haven't shopped in ages it's going to be interesting to go furniture shopping. I tend to lose patience in less than 15 minutes and want to leave. Any ideas on online furniture (sofa and chairs) places that I can order stuff and look at it would be great. My recliners I know were at least $2000 a piece and they are saying $900. The couch they say was $6000. 10 years ago...My old rock and roll ablums from the 70's they are giving me $180 for 5 albums...they must know something I don't! New Riders etc. Anyway, any info any of you can give would be apprieciated. Thanks for all you have given already. I am looking for high end furniture, btw.

[Eisbein]

Guess we posted at the same time.

Ina

[OnAPrettyPoison]

I am so glad you  are feeling better!  Take lots of naps - you need them to heal your body,

[Forseegood]

just want to second that emotion....yippppppeeeeee! give me a buzz sometime, and not with a roach...>)

[sfbaygirl]

Thanks everyone! It's always wonderful to hear from you all. I went to the dr and then took a nap. Now that I am OFF tx I may have to go to the lab everyday for awhile to get the courmidin regulated. Apparently the HIGH on my tests means I am not getting enough of the courmidin, so I need to take more. It should be 2-3. INR. It sure would be nice to find that blood disorder board, huh Elaine?  

Yes, I am feeling pretty darn good. Going to sleep early and sleeping until noon is a problem, well not really! Then I take a mid day nap. But I had a nice visit with the grandkids this weekend, watching them in the pool and playing. I really missed that. I had my TMA done yesterday, so I have my fingers crossed for an UND after this short period of time. I have a stack of labs for TMA's, so I will have them every few weeks to see. NOt that I plan on tx anytime soon if I relapse, but I guess it would be nice to know.

Something I found interesting about the PT tests is that spinich or some foods can cause the PT #'s to change. The nurse and dr. keep telling me how dangerous it is. I need to find more info on this!  

[Eisbein]

I am sorry I didn't welcome you back, but I often have to skip several days reading. Anyway, I am glad you are back home, and with us again.
Your tests mean, that your blood takes longer to clot, and like Jim said, your Coumadin will probably be adjusted every so often, until you are stable.

Wishing you the best,
Ina

[Pdilly]

Gosh glad to hear you are doing so so much better.  Jeezz  you had us all concerned.  Sleep... thats okay...I could knock off 10-12 hours a night and did not  have lots of energy on some days in between.  You have been through a lot and your body needs to re-coup.   Keep in touch

[sfbaygirl]

Thanks, I went to Labs Online last night and couldn't find a thing about it. Thanks for the welcome back. It is good to be back!

[jmjm530]

This might get you started but your medical team really should provide you with a list of foods and meds that can affect your clotting time.
http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/pt/test.html

[ladybug52]

Hi there! Glad to see you were on here. I know a little about PT/INR, because when I worked in nursing facilities, I would get a call from a nurse saying that a patient had orders for PT (physical therapy)
I'd check the chart and it was for PT/INR which is the test to see how quickly your blood is clotting. After a patient with surgery is admitted, they have to monitor their prothombin (clotting time) One facility was closed because they didn't monitor someone post surgery and she threw a blood clot. It's true about the spinach! I thought the first person who told me about that was demented!
You can look up PT under complete lab tests at a glance.
http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/pt/glance.html
So glad your started to join the land of the living!
Hugs,
Bug

[rosebud57]

prothobin time... spelling  it didn't look at lab site posted but i think it measure the blood clot factor,  it is the stuff white blood cells?  in our blood that forms clots like when we cut ourself and a scab needs to form.  since you are on bloodthinner they are wanting to track your clotting factors.

glad to see your feeling better that hemo went up quickly were'nt you in the mid 8's

[friole]

Your labs look pretty darn good, all things considered.  A woman at work is beginning to take cumadin and they apparently monitor the bloodwork pretty closely to make sure you get the righth amount and not too much.  I think the cardiologist told her they monitor 1000 people at the office.  I think you are doing good, and it is no surprise you are still very tired.  It will get better.
frijole

[wyntre9]

So glad the labs are good.

I'm sleeping all the time and I didn't go through ANY of the stuff you did!

If I had, I'd probably be snoozing for a year.

Rest and recuperate and that's an order.

wyn

[Myown]

wow! That is great news. So glad to hear that you are feeling better and that the labs are good!

[orphanedhawk]

Maybe you're tired because your body is recuperating from all you've been through. I'd say listen to your body and don't push it.
    BTW: I am still happily amazed to see you are back and clear headed. Its just so good to 'hear' you sounding like yourself !!

[coeric]

the test shows that the coumidin is anti-coagulating the blood and clotting time is increasing.

i read your recent posts and find myself in awe of you and many of the others on this board who despite great adversity keep on going.  bless you and keep up the good work

e