Lizzie's Journey

Good News and Good Docs

Today Lizzie saw her new pediatric immunologist, and I'm glad to report that the visit went really well. I never know what to expect from a new doctor, and let's be honest, it doesn't always make for a good day. We've had some initial test results for a while now, with no clear explanation of what they mean. For those of you who know me, you know that it's been driving me nuts!!! Super crazy, so I was really hoping for a good doctor who doesn't mind 1000+ questions. Instead, I got 2 great doctors that welcomed the questions. Thank you Lord for teaching hospitals! lol!

The doctors didn't get copies of all the right labs, but if I've learned anything along our journey, it's to be over-prepared... so I had a copy for them. :) They went through the labs with me item by item, and explained what each one meant. The good news, is that because she is growing and developing so well they feel like her immune system just needs some time to "catch-up". She has spent so much time on antibiotics and anti-fungals, that her system is just overworked. We are pretty convinced that this is what is making her T cell numbers low, and not an actual deficiency, but we are doing a few more tests to be sure.

Speaking of tests, more good news... I think we made the right decision in waiting to do the vax titers. We are redoing the original labs to see if the numbers are still low, but since she has been off of all medication for 8 weeks now (which also means she has been thrush free for 8 wks! woo-hoo!) we may see a rise in her numbers. They are also doing some kind of test to check the actual function of the T cells. As long as the T cells are functioning well, it doesn't matter if they are lower than normal as long as they are not significantly lower. If this test comes back with good function, than we don't have to do the titers at all, which would mean no extra vax'es. Which makes me one happy momma!

So overall great news. It's not definitive and really not anything we hadn't heard, but now I understand it and feel comfortable about where we are going. Sometimes that's just as important as the answer. It certainly takes a lot of the worry out of it. We get the test results in 2 weeks, and hopefully we can take immunology back of the list. This will also mean that we are doctor free until December! You heard me right, NO visits scheduled until December, when we see urology again to discuss the take down of her vesicostomy. It will be a nice break before she starts testing again, and I'd say she deserves it. ;)

Labels: antibiotics, immunology, t cells, Update