I have some potentially good news this morning! Mark's cardiologists called in some "consultants." (I didn't realized doctors have consultants, but ... hey! Whatever gets the job done!) These consultants told us yesterday that they are going to recommend hypoxyurea therapy for Mark. I still need to get online and read up about it, but what I know so far is that it lowers the red blood cell count and makes the cells more pliable so that they will slip through the veins more easily. This could be really good! It's the first time in a long time that anyone has offered us anything that might actually make a substantial difference.
The down side? Well ... this medication can't differentiate between red and white cells. They said his white cell count can tolerate a decrease at this point, but if they get the balance off, it could suppress his immune system. (Not permanently. They could always adjust the meds. But we don't want him wide open to "bugs" that could easily do him in, in his weakened state.) Another downside: because the cells are more slippery, he would also be more prone to bleeding. (Hard to imagine, since his blood is currently so thick they have to struggle to get a sample.) I know it's a bit of a risk, but the "downsides" seem to be controllable with further medical intervention, if it comes to that, and at least it's SOMEthing. For the first time in a long time, somebody has been able to give us something resembling hope!
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