Day +57

Mike always says, "No news is good news". This past week, things have been going pretty steady, so we haven't had much to update. Mike's lab results on Friday, 9/10 was:

WBC: 5.1 (normal range 4.0-11.0)
Hemoglobin: 10.1 (13.5 - 17.7)
Hematocrit: 28.4 (40.0-52.0)
Platelet: 158 (150-400)
Magnesium: 1.2 (1.8-2.2)

There was a new comment/notation on his blood lab results which reads, "Cold agglutinins present. Specimen warmed". We asked his nurse what this meant and she had no idea and told us not to worry. She said that if it were of any concern, the docs would let us know about it. We also asked a second nurse, but she, too, could not explain what it was but said that this was something common that they see on lab results. I'll need to track down a doctor ask him/her about this so that I can rest assured that this is, indeed, not an issue.

Mike's Hemoglobin and Hematocrit levels are still on the low side. If his Hematocrit level drops below 28.0, he'll require a blood transfusion. His magnesium level continues to be low even though he gets mag infusions at the hospital as well as taking mag supplements at home. We also try and eat foods that are rich in magnesium.

Why is magnesium so important? Magnesium is an important electolyte needed for proper muscle, nerve, and enzyme function. It also helps regulate energy production in cells and is needed to move other electrolytes (potassium and sodium) into and out of cells.

Overall, Mike's feeling good. There's minor stuff going on (recurring bouts of diarreah, fatigue, and post nasal drip which causes occasional sniffles and coughing), but nothing major that we are aware of. The nurses say the diarreah is due to the intake of magnesium tablets and the fatigue is due to the low red blood cells.