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Date Posted: 11:04:26 12/10/03 Wed
Author: aljo
Subject: Re: aljo?
In reply to:
LaneyLounge
's message, "aljo?" on 03:11:15 12/10/03 Wed
I can tell you about white blood cells, but (as I'm sure you predicted) I'll also give you the standard "Your friend should be staying in close contact with her/his doctor about what her/his test results mean for her/him".
I'm not very good at brevity, but I'll try to make this quick but still understandable.
First of all, our bodies like to be in a "normal" state (having a temp of 98.6, having a particular number of white blood cells, etc), so when something is happening in the body that is outside that normal state, the body has some built-in mechanisms to try to return it to that state (for example, when we're cold, we get goosebumps... that is the body's way of creating a greater amount of skin surface so that less body heat can escape so we don't go into hypothermia everytime we walk out the door in winter).
One of the other mechanisms we have to keep ourselves in that normal state is our immune system, the system that helps us prevent and fight off infection. (Remember, when we're talking about "infection" here, we're referring to processes that take the body out of its normal state; so not just a puss-filled toe, but cancer cells and flu bugs and any other number of things that get in the way of our bodies' normal states.)
The primary infection-fighter is the white blood cell (WBC). There are five different kinds, all with different sorts of actions, but all with the same goal of helping us stay in and/or return to the normal state. We all carry around some WBCs all the time (but hell if I remember the normal range) to deal with just day-to-day staying healthy.
In an otherwise healthy person, when the body recognizes an infectious process going on, WBC production is stimulated so they (the WBCs) can attack the invader and get the body back to its normal state.
It's not a simple question of "What's it mean when someone has too many or not enough WBCs?" Seldom is anything medical that black or white. There's usually a bunch of "clues" (signs and symptoms) that, when added together, point toward something more concrete. The person needs to follow whatever medical path they travel (see her/his doc and ASK QUESTIONS).
As for whether or not the test results could be wrong, sure they could. When lab results are majorly skewed from the normal range, it's common practice to re-do the testing just to be sure.
I can't think of anything else that would be "generic" yet helpful to you... Again, your pal should stay in touch with her/his medical care provider to find out what the test results may mean for her/him.
Let's all keep our fingers crossed for lab error! ;-)
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Re: aljo? -- Rose, 11:44:44 12/10/03 Wed [1]
Hey Aljo,
While you're on the subject of health stuff, can I ask a question also?
My mother has just been diagnosed with small cell cancer. Yesterday she went for the scan to see if it was anywhere else in her body. They called yesterday afternoon to schedule an MRI on Thursday because there is trauma to the brain they want to check out.
Now, when I hear trauma on the brain, I think someone got whapped in the head. That is not something that has happened (as far as I can tell and being four states away). Does that probably mean the cancer has probably spread to her brain, or at least that that is what they are checking on?
Thanks for any input you have...
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Thanks, aljo -- LaneyLounge, 17:33:28 12/10/03 Wed [1]
I'll keep a good thought in my head and wait for the results of the next test.
I appreciate very much the information.
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Ayuh -- aljo, 16:58:10 12/12/03 Fri [1]
*crossing all crossable appendages*
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Oh my, Rose -- aljo, 16:56:22 12/12/03 Fri [1]
I'm so sorry, but that's one I just can't answer for you. I went to nursing school with the specific goal of being a geriatric nurse in the VA hospital here... I got out of school, got the job, and kept it for nine years. After that, I went to work in the field of substance abuse treatment and that's where I still am. So although I've been a nurse for 14 years, my experience is limited to old veterans and people addicted to drugs.
So... (you can see it coming, can't you??)... make sure there's close contact with the doc (or whatever medical care provider is involved) and ASK QUESTIONS. It's so important to stay informed so you (and your mom) can make informed choices.
(And NO... "trauma to the brain" doesn't necessarily mean they think it's cancer... but that doesn't mean they don't either.)
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Thanks Aljo -- Rose, 23:19:29 12/12/03 Fri [1]
We got the results and they aren't good.
She has cancer in all four sections of her brain.
We will be traveling back home soon.
Thanks anyway for trying to help.
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Rose? -- LaneyLounge, 01:18:12 12/13/03 Sat [1]
For the most part, I don't read posts when they're directed toward another. And that still stands true with your post, altho' I did read your response to aljo, which puzzled me. Therefore, I read your original post for clarification.
I'm so sorry to hear about your Mama! My positive thoughts, and certainly my strong prayers, will be directed her way. I'm saddened to hear about y'alls plight!
(((((((RoseHips)))))
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Re: Rose? -- Rose, 18:02:45 12/13/03 Sat [1]
Thanks Laney. I appreciate that.
It's so wierd and although we've expected something for some time, it comes as a surprise. That's an odd one to figure out.
Sadly, she doesn't know the gravity of it all. My sister got the results of her test on Friday from her oncologist while my mom was in surgery getting a port-cath put in. She still has to tell her what the doctor said. She is going to tell her tomorrow night.
Truly sucks...
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