Glossary

So what is chemotherapy? Its meant to kill stem cells in the bone marrow, but it also destroys some normal cells, particularly those which grow and divide fast like blood cells, cells from the gastrointestinal tract and hair cells. That is why the most common side effects are low blood counts, eating and digestion problems…

The Absolut Neutrophil Count or ANC is the total number of neutrophils in your white blood cell count. The lower the ANC the higher the risk of infection. When the ANC drops below 500 the risk of infection is very high. The ANC is an important number for two reasons: 1) The ANC determines when…

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN), also called hyperalimentation, is the practice of feeding a person without using the gut. It is normally used during surgical recoveries. It has been used for patients in coma, although enteric (tube) feeding is usually adequate, and less prone to complications. Chronic TPN is occasionally used treat people suffering the extended…

“The anti nausea medication may cause him to be loopy.” Loopy = Balmy, barmy, bats, batty, bonkers, buggy, cracked, crackers, daft, dotty, fruity, haywire, kooky, kookie, loco, loony, nuts, nutty, round the bend, around the bend, wacky, whacky — (informal or slang terms for mentally irregular)

Polymerase Chain Reaction, or PCR, is a process which permits scientists to make unlimited copies of genes. This is done with a single molecule of DNA. One hundred billion copies of the DNA can be generated in a few hours. This technique is currently being used to investigate Andy’s CMV because of a positive CMV…

As Jordan puts it “Old enemies die hard”. CMV is a member of the herpesvirus group, which includes herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus (which causes chickenpox and shingles), and Epstein-Barr virus (which causes infectious mononucleosis). These viruses share a characteristic ability to remain dormant within the body over a long period….

Any substance that stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies. Antigens are often foreign substances such as invading bacteria or viruses. More definitions via Google here. More via Wikipedia here.

PHYSICIANS Attending Physician – a senior medical doctor who directs the patient’s care. Fellow – a medical doctor training in a specialty, e.g. cardiology. Resident – a medical doctor training in pediatrics. Psychiatrist of Psychologist – a doctor who works with parents and children to help them learn ways to manage feelings about being in…

Blood smear. In this test, a drop of blood is spread (smeared) on a slide and stained with a special dye. The slide is then examined under a microscope. The numbers, size, and shape of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are recorded. Blood cells with unusual shapes or sizes can help diagnose…