Transitions, Numbers and More

How Long?

“How long has this been going on?” A song by Ace, a one hit wonder comes to mind these days. If you give it a listen it’s quite likely you will recognize the song. How long has it been going on? Well, today is day 31! Yikes, my longest hospital stay ever.

The current plan is to go home this Friday July 21, 2023 after a 33 day hospital stay. There will be “close” outpatient follow-up with the CancerCare group. They will provide the Oncology and Hematology care which is the main focus of my “issues”. “Close” has not been defined yet, but at a minimum, I think it will be weekly blood work, possible Grastofil injections, and a checkpoint visit.

ANC

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ANC stands for Absolute Neutrophil Count, while WBC stands for White Blood Cell count. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cells that play a crucial role in the body’s immune response against infections. ANC is a measure of the actual number of neutrophils in the blood, and it is often used to assess the body’s ability to fight off infections.

WBC count, on the other hand, measures the total number of white blood cells in the blood. White blood cells are responsible for protecting the body against pathogens and foreign substances. An abnormal WBC count may indicate an underlying health condition such as infection, inflammation, or certain diseases.

Both ANC and WBC are important indicators that healthcare professionals use to evaluate the body’s immune system and overall health status. Regular blood tests can help monitor these counts and provide valuable insights into a person’s well-being.

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Hmm, is AI generated content better than me? Perhaps I’m going to get replaced! More geek interests in action.

Numbers

ANC didn’t want to crowd out the other numbers, so here they are!

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Hemoglobin and platelets are important components of the blood that play vital roles in maintaining overall health and well-being.

Hemoglobin:
Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to various tissues and organs in the body. It also helps in transporting carbon dioxide, a waste product, back to the lungs for exhalation. Hemoglobin gives blood its red color and is crucial for maintaining adequate oxygen levels throughout the body.

Platelets:
Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are small cell fragments in the blood that help in blood clotting. When a blood vessel is damaged, platelets rush to the site and stick together, forming a clot to stop the bleeding. They also release substances that help in the formation of fibrin, a protein that further reinforces the clot and promotes healing.

Both hemoglobin and platelets are measured during routine blood tests to assess overall health and diagnose various conditions.

Low platelet counts, on the other hand, can indicate a condition called thrombocytopenia. This can occur due to factors such as certain medications, bone marrow disorders, viral infections, or autoimmune diseases.

Low hemoglobin levels may indicate anemia, a condition characterized by a reduced ability of the blood to carry oxygen. Anemia can be caused by factors like iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, or blood loss.

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Home Care

One of the good things that has happened during my stay is that the PITA / Perianal Fistulas & Abscesses have been getting some excellent attention from the wound care nurse. She has guided the ward nurses in how to treat the wounds with various treatments and dressings that have helped significantly in the healing. She, Shirley and the charge nurse have arranged for home care nurses to take over this wound care and teach us (Shirley) on how to loook after the wound. Various supplies will be delivered to me before going home and the first home nursing visit will take place on Saturday. Supplies will be delivered to our house on an on going basis until no longer needed.

Once again we are so thankful for the wonderful medical care that Garry has received throughout his lengthy hospital stay.