Quick update before I go on a mini-vacation

[Carrie]

Happy fourth of July to you all!

Dad’s still battling a fever (high of 38.5). Doesn’t seem too serious right now but he does have a few bruise-like spots on the back of his legs that they want to biopsy. What could they possibly be? If they’re really bruises, how do they biopsy them? We’re a little confused.

Anyway, things seem relatively stable now (not so crazy emotional). Thank you for all of your support…

Carrie

[riley]

Hi Carrie. I’m glad to hear that your father is doing a little better. The tone of your message sounds like you’re feeling better about things too. I hope you’ll really be able to enjoy your vacation.

I wonder if the docs are going to do a punch biopsy on your father’s bruises? My father had some swollen areas on his arms and legs, and that’s what they did for him. It was just a small sample from several of the bumps to see what kind of cells were in the skin in that area. In his case, they were trying to be sure they wouldn’t find leukemic cells. He said it wasn’t painful.

I hope the biopsy goes smoothly, and I’ll be interested to hear about it when you know more.

[CMH64]

It could be a fungal infection of the skin! If his counts have been down this is a possibility. Fungus is everywhere, all of the time. People with healthy immune systems can fight if off with no problem. But the immune compromised can easily get a fungal infection. Fungal infections are very serious but can now be treated with success due to new drugs like V-fend, caspofungin and others. A fungal infection of the skin is what led to my husband’s diagnosis of AML. The infection returned accompanied by an infection in the lungs during induction chemo and has been kept under control through a SCT and since with V-fend. Good luck, let us know what they find out with the biopsy. Cathy

[Author]

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