Re: White Blood Count / Lymphocyte Count?

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Interesting you should mention this because when I discussed

the ALC with my oncologist, she dismissed it of no

importance and said she follows the WBC. Because the

internet, this forum and others, have kept me so well

informed I realized she is, perhaps, not as informed as I am

and am glad I am seeing Dr. Rai on Monday.

I asked her to always do a complete blood count and she

readily agreed.She also said she would be happy to work with

Dr. Rai and I can have my treatment, when needed, locally at

her center.

I think it would be impossible for one hematologist /

oncologist to be totally familiar with all the ramifications

of all types of cancers. Look how many different aspects

there are to CLL alone.

Best wishes,

Q

C wrote:

/message/16015

[Guest guest]

No No and No .. If they are looking for doubling, it is the

ALC (absolute lymphocyte count) that should be watched.

And good to see all the other components of the WBC as well

... neuts, mono, etc .. all indications of what is going on.

Is it time to get a CLL expert?

(Somehow, I don't think I'll be the only one posting this)

All the best,

Lynn

C wrote:

/message/16015

[Guest guest]

You have to deal with a specialist or at least a

hematologist who works with a lot of CLL. My doctors order a

CBC with platelets and differential and a Complete metabolic

panel. My hematologist wants this monthly along with Ig

levels. My nephrologist (my CLL presents in my kidneys)

wants it every three months with a 24 hour urine for protein

and creatinine clearance. Since they were ordering the same

thing except for their add-on my nephrologist just adds the

Ig levels onto his order the months that he is also

ordering. All of my labs are sent to the two of them, my

primary care doc, and my cardiologist.

With everything becoming so specialized we need specialists

whosw job is to co-ordinate our care when we are juggling

doctors.

Pat

Q wrote:

/message/16016

[Guest guest]

, Maybe your oncologist is thinking of another cancer.

CLL is monitored by many bloodcounts but the doubling time

is ONLY monitored by the absolute lymphocyte counts.

I have never heard of a CLL Specialist who would follow only

the WBC. I hope you are getting another opinion? You might

think about copying and pasting the basic blood counts

needed to watch for CLL and hand deliver it to your doctor!