Drew visited the immunologist at UCSF last week. The appointments don't seem to be very worthwhile, except for the blood test at the end. We usually talk to a fellow first who asks us a bunch of questions about Drew that they would know the answers to if they read his chart. OK, it is a big chart, but still...Then the "real" doctor comes in with her cohorts and asks the questions again. You'd think she'd get the answers from the first guy. My favorite question is "why are you here today?" Um, because you tell us to come back every 6 months. And we just like to visit the city. Anyway, this time it wasn't even our normal immunologist and we didn't even talk to a fellow, we talked to a medical student! Also, they didn't seem to be able to answer my questions, which is frustrating.
So on to the blood test. Drew screams from the time they tie on the tourniquet until they remove the needle from his arm. I don't know if the phlebotomist is getting better, or he is getting easier, but she got it in one try again this time! Yes! Then he got a sticker and he was fine.
I called and got the results today and his CD3s are 38% and CD4s are 24%. Last time they were 34% and 22% so we are seeing some small increases, which is good. His calcium level is normal and his absolute count for his CD3s was much better than last time. Unfortunately he can't get the live virus vaccines (chickenpox and MMR) until his CD3s are at a minimum of 40% and usually they don't give them until 50%. We'll keep praying for an increase in T-cells!
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5 comments:
yay, one try! you know, the funniest thing about this post is that i thought you were saying "fellow" as in "some chap" until you said it again as compared to a medical student. i guess that's the only funny thing about this post; everything else is great!
i'm so glad drew's slowly, but surely, building his levels! luckily, teaching institutions like ucsf notoriously try to prevent stodgy old practice and keep patients on cutting edge of treatment. unfortunately, you're exposed to the hierarchy and incessantly redundant questioning associated with "teaching" -ugh.
i keep trying to think that the young medical student will turn out to be a better inquisitive fellow to a more well-rounded resident and eventually transform into the great doc who you look forward to hearing from. but c'mon people!! read drew's charts!!!! grr.
Yay! That's good news that Drew's levels are going up! He's such a little trooper!
Amy
I do not like teaching hospitals, they are very frustrating! Glad Drew is doing well though. Alexia went through 3 teaching hospitals in her life time and I have vowed to never, ever return.
xoxoxoxo
Valerie
Hello Andrea,
I have finally got my Blog up and moving. Just want you to check it out, when you can.
Have a great weekend!
Valerie
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