It’s 22 days since I received the KLN-1010 infusion, 4 days after getting out of this hospital after being hit the by side effects described here. The good news is that each day I feel a little better, a little stronger than the day before.
Tomorrow I’m going in for another series of blood tests. They’ll specifically be looking at the levels of my neutrophils and lymphocytes. Both are a type of white blood cell, responsible for fending off infections. The T-cells that were altered by my treatment are a type of lymphocyte, so not surprising their numbers have increased. This causes a decrease in neutrophils, potentially making me more susceptible to infections. If my neutrophil level is too low, Suzie will start having to inject me with Filgrastim, a type of “colony stimulating factor” that helps the bone marrow make more neutrophils. Fortunately my stomach provides an only-too-ample target for the injections.
Having to get Filgrastim is not unusual for people having undergone CAR-T treatment, so I’m not worried about it. I’m just happy that each day is better than the last. And this treatment is nothing compared to the bone marrow transplant I went though in 2018. I described that at the time as “the hardest, most physically challenging thing I’ve ever been through.” For a month I was wiped out, and even sixty days after I was still at just 70% of my normal energy level. Stanford kept some of my stem cells in case I ever needed another transplant, but I told Suzie I wasn’t sure I had another one in me. Compared to that, what I’m going through now is a walk in the park.
Categories: Uncategorized
I’m on your team in spirit and all blessings and love to you and Suzie, es
Steve, you are so tough! Hang in there. Love to you and Suzie.