Terminology

Here are some terms that are helpful to know while you're following us on this journey through leukemia. I hope this helps clear some things up.

• ANC = Absolute Neutrophil Count
  Neutrophils are the type of white blood cell that fights infection. You have many types of white blood cells, so when you hear white blood cell count it can be misleading. The normal range of neutrophils is 1.5-8 (1500-8000).
  Dempsey's level is currently 0.
  Pray that his ANC level increases and maintains.
• Hemoglobin = the protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs.
  Normal range is 12-17.5.
  Dempsey's level is currently 11.1. 7.8 yesterday before transfusion)
  Pray that his body holds on to the red blood cells and he maintains a healthy level.
• Platelets = the clotting factor in red blood cells
  When your platelet levels are low your red blood cells tend to burst. When this happens you begin to see what looks like a rash of pin dot size red spots. This is not a rash, it's called petechiae. THIS is what I saw on Dempsey and attributed to an allergic reaction to cefepime (antibiotic). It was a result of his platelet levels being dangerously low and his red blood cells bursting. Scary stuff when you think about it.
  Normal range is 150,000-300,000.
  Dempsey's level is currently 73. (16 yesterday BEFORE transfusion)
  Pray that the infusions he receives are all accepted by his body and that his platelet levels will remain stable.
• Vitals = checking his blood pressure (bp), temperature, breaths per minute.
  They check these more frequently if certain levels are lower, he's receiving a transfusion, there's a fever...
• "Meds" = all the oral medicines Dempsey has to take
  There are fewer now than when we arrived at CHOC. Praise God.
  Pray that Dempsey accepts these meds and doesn't ever fight us on taking them. Pray also that he will be open to learning how to swallow pills because he will be taking A LOT of them over the next 3.25 years.
• "Tubies" = the plastic tubes attached to his port/ line
  They use these to administer medicine, draw blood. We are thankful this port is two-way.
  Pray against complications with these. Pray that each night he sleeps with them there is no problem or entanglement. He has not had any issue with these thus far. Praise God.
• Portacath or port = the site inside his body that the line pokes into to administer meds and draw blood. A catheter connects the port to a major vein.
  Pray against infection and complication. Pray against pain. Pray for selective amnesia- that he will forget all of these pokes.
• Dressing = adhesive/ covering over port/ line site.
  Pray against pain of removal. Pray against infection.
• In/Out patient = In-patient means staying in the hospital; Out-patient means staying at home but coming to hospital or clinic for parts of treatment
• Pre B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia = Dempsey's form of leukemia (cancer of the blood)
  This is a fast growing cancer that starts in the B cells. 80-85% of children will ALL have this specific type. It's the most common and has the highest "cure" rate.
  Pray for miraculous healing. Pray against complications. Pray for miracles along the way. Pray for defying medical odds in positive ways that pleasantly surprise the doctors.
• Chemotherapy (phases of treatment); drugs that kill cancer cells (and also healthy cells)
  Induction = first phase of treatment, typically the first month
  This is phase where the goal is to induce remission. This phase is said to be the hardest because of the emotional and physical roller coasters you experience- diagnosis, pokes/ prods, procedures, starting treatment.
  Consolidation = second phase of treatment, months 2-3
  This is more intense than induction.
  Maintenance = third phase of treatment, month 4 through end of treatment
  This is the phase that begins once the leukemia remains in remission after induction and consolidation phases.
  Pray against complications. Pray for PERFECT results. Pray against negative side effects. Pray for miracles at each stage.
• Remission = means there are no more leukemia cells found in the bone marrow
  Pray for remission to come swiftly and completely.
• Bone marrow biopsy = where they suck out a small amount of marrow and send it to a lab for analysis
  There is discomfort with this procedure- they went throught the bone!
  Pray against pain. Pray against complication. Pray for courage. Pray the doctors have steady hands. Pray for perfect results.
• Lumbar puncture = a needle inserted into the spinal canal to collect cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and send to lab for analysis
  There can be discomfort from this procedure. Thankfully Dempsey is sedated and can spend the recommended 30+ mnutes of laying flat coming out of anesthesia.
  Pray against pain. Pray against complications. Pray for courage. Pray the doctors have steady hands. Pray for PERFECT results.
• Moon face = swollen, round face that comes as a side effect of steroids used during treatment
  According to the nutritionist, this is often intensified by a poor diet or one high in sodium and fat.
  Pray that we will continue to feed Dempsey healthy foods and that this side effect isn't present. It's not an awful thing, we just want him to look like our baby always.
• The Team = all the doctors/ professionals that are in charge of Dempsey's case
  Oncology, Infection Disease, Physchology, etc
  Pray for this team. Pray for their hearts. Pray for their minds. Pray that they are seeing EVERY detail and making the BEST decisions/ plans for Dempsey.
• Child Life = pediatric healthcare professionals who help children and families cope with challenges and experiences of hospitalizations, illness, and disability.
  These gals (only met women so far) have been amazing. What a support. I think they've done more good for me personally than for Dempsey. Dempsey sure does like them. He especially likes their iPads because he gets to watch and play on them as a form of distraction from scary or painful procedures. Tech is BIG with these professionals.
  Pray over this department and the professionals. Pray for their hearts. Pray that they are always equipped to handle what each patient brings to them each day. They are fabulous and that job has to be hard- emotionally.
• Turtle Talk = fun, engaging digital interactive show that happens two times a day for the kiddos and guests.
• Playroom = where kiddos can go to play, of course.
  There are video game systems, crafts, toys, air hockey table, art stuff, play-doh, etc. That's where Dempsey got to meet Minnie Mouse.

If you've read a term on the blog that isn't covered here and you want to know how it impacts our journey, please go to the Got Questions? post and fill out the form. I will try to answer or explain.