The results from last chimerism test show that there is still a small residual level of my original host T-cells (white blood cells). Today at the clinic they took blood for a repeat test, in the hope that the previous DLI (donor lymphocyte infusion) is still working, and these last few blighters will be killed off.
As I have remarked before, the chimerism test is only accurate to a certain level, so even if the test is negative it does not mean that I have no residual T-cells, just that the test cannot detect them - in the case of a negative test there is some uncertainty. However, since the test is showing a small positive, there is absolute certainty that I still have some host T-cells, and so they will treat me with another DLI in the new year if this latest test still shows positive. The only risk of another DLI is that I will get GVH (graft-versus-host disease), but since I have had hardly any from the previous treatments, it is unlikely that I will get bad GVH from another treatment, given that the cells are all from the same batch taken from my brother last February (deep frozen).
As I wrote last time, I will now start a series of vaccinations and boosters similar to the ones given to children. Interestingly, this does not include MMR, which they do not give to adults on the grounds that the chance of getting any of them is low, and the possible risks are not worth it.
In the hospital, someone has been watching too much Star Trek, and all the nurses now have colour-coded uniforms! Sadly, not quite as bold as the Trekkie oranges, reds and blues, but limited to piping around the sleeves and collars of their blue jackets.
I suspect this will be my last post of 2012, so I wish you all seasons greetings, and a healthy new year.
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