Precautionary Biopsy (Pray)

Cindy is scheduled for biopsy #3 this Thursday, March 7 because biopsy #2 (on 2/19) that indicated she was in remission included some cells her team thinks are innocent, immature cells. But, just to be absolutely sure….

You gotta like a team like this, leaving no stone unturned. In this case, “leaving no immature blood cell (“blast”) unexamined.”

A little bone marrow education

Bone marrow is the spongy tissue in the center of our bones where “hematopoietic stem cells” are produced that differentiate into three main types of blood cells: (1) white blood cells (WBC) that fight infection, (2) red blood cells (RBC) that supply oxygen to the body, and (3) platelets (PLT) that aid in clotting. These stem cells can be found circulating in the blood and bone marrow in people of all ages, as well as in the umbilical cords of newborn babies.

Blast cells, short for myeloblasts, are immature blood cells that generally comprise 0-5% of the cells in the bone marrow. AML is suspected when blast cells comprise an excess of 20% of the cells in the bone marrow.

Desired outcome from biopsy #3

1. Confirmation that the suspect cells are of no concern.
2. Assurance that Cindy’s remission is solidly on-track so that consolidation chemo can begin in a couple weeks

She meets with Dr. Jaiyesimi on Friday, March 15 to review results from this biopsy.

Meanwhile, we pray.

• pray without ceasing, (1 Thessalonians 5:17, ESV)
• Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2, ESV)

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Reference site for blood information: Blood basics by the American Society of Hematology

Photo credits:

1. Prayer scene from move, “War Room”
2. Praying near window: Photo by Natalia Figueredo on Unsplash
3. Praying Mary: Photo by Grant Whitty on Unsplash