I don't Know What Stage Leukemia You are!

I don't Know What Stage Leukemia You are!

Imagine hearing that from your hematologist, well that is exactly what he told me. March of '15 I found out I had leukemia. Put on watch and wait. Saw my doctor again in July, I'm told I am stage 4 and he wants to start chemo. I respectfully declined, I just didn't believe I was sick enough to need treatment. He acquiesced to my decision and set an appointment for 2 months later (Sep '15).

I went and saw him last week, and on the way to his office, I was rolling over in mind the arguments I could use to avoid treatment, I still am not very sick in my opinion. I have a fairly enlarged spleen and some lymph nodes, I also have a low (75) platelet count. Bruising, and slight abdominal pressure are my only symptoms. No fatigue, no sweats, no anemia. They took my blood, doctor came in and his first words were, "we don't need to treat you at this time." I still have an enlarged spleen and platelets remained at the same low level. WBC is at 33k slightly up from my last cbc. So I asked, because I didn't have my cbc results in hand or even know what they were, "Am I still stage 4?" That's when he dropped the I don't know what stage you are bomb. 

I have underlying Hep C infection, and Hep C can cause low platelets and an enlarged spleen. From my reading that is usually the case for people who already have cirrhosis, which I don't. But for now the doctor really can't say what is causing what, and since my numbers haven't changed, and I am having no other symptoms, no treatment for now, yeah! (In fact every time he checks my neck for swollen lymph nodes and finds none he seems to be very surprised.) Plus, I have noticed my spleen has gone down some, (less pressure on my abdomen).

I am being treated for the hep C, I have another 10 weeks to go. He says he will probably wait till that is over before any other decisions are made. My journey continues, my wife and I continue to take communion every day, and pray for my miracle. No magic diet, no oils that are way overpriced, no vitamins. Prayer, and communion, it's working for me. If you are reading this you or someone you love need a miracle, my heart goes out to you, whatever treatments you decide, add prayer to the mix, I believe it makes a difference.

Blessings!