Update

I have a bit of a skip in my step today.  I feel that things are starting to get moving, but I have to admit, it isn't going to be easy.  One of the things I am trying to do is to 'pre-qualify' for the stem cell transplant whilst I am still in Australia.  I don't want to go all the way to Chicago, only to find out that I am not a suitable candidate and I get sent packing back to Australia with my tail between my legs.

So right now I have been asked to do a lot of tests.  And I mean a lot of tests.  I have listed them here:-

Blood Work and Urinalysis

Immunoglobulins quantitative IgG/M/A

Lymphocyte phenotypes (CD3,4,8, CD 56, CD 20)

Varicella zoster virus (VZV)

Herpes simplex virus HSV

Cytomegalovirus by polymerase chain reaction (CMV by PCR)

Urinalysis (UA)

Uric acid

Fibrinogen Antigen Assays/Prothrombin Time (PT)/Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)

Anti bodies; MAG, GM1, GM2, GD1b, sulfatide, GALOP

Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP)

Immunofixation Electrophorisis (IFE)

Anti-Hu anti bodies

Cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (C-ANCA)

Antinuclear antibody (ANA) panel to include Anti DS DNA, SSA, SSB

Anti-gliadin

Anti-transglutaminase

Rheumatoid Factor

C-reactive protein (CRP)

Sedimentation rate

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)

Cryoglobulin

Triiodothyronine, Thyroxine, Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (T3, T4, TSH)

Thiamine (vitamin B1)

Vitamin B12

HIV

Hepatitis B 

Human T-lymphotropic virus Type I (HTLV-1)

Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)

Other Tests

Pulmonary function Test

Echocardiogram

CT sinus’

EKG

Chest X-ray

MRI

Lumbar puncture

I have been very busy getting my head around what they are all for, which has been really hard seeing as though my GP didn't know what about a third of them were.  Luckily, Dr Google seemed to have information on most of them.

Although the task is daunting, it is nice to finally feel like I am doing something.  The worst feeling is just standing still waiting for something.  An appointment, a test, an answer, anything.  Anyway, forgive me if my blogging is a little light in the short term, I've got some work to do!  

Tomorrow and Monday I will get the other tests done, and hopefully by then I will have figured out the blood tests so I can get them done, and have the results to Chicago by the end of next week.  But I know how it works, I will settle for by Christmas.  The other benefit I have is that I have already done the MRI and lumbar puncture ages ago, so these results will do.

I will keep you all updated as things progress.  Stay well:)