Guest guest Posted April 30, 2008 Report Share Posted April 30, 2008 , You do not have to change your work because of the CLL. The infections that you are most at risk from are unusual infections that are in the environment. Not necessarily things that you get from others. The only protective procedures you need to follow are those that are in place as per hospital protocol. Rick Furman > > It is so nice to have a doctor who is dedicated to helping us CLLers > when we need assistance. I am new to the list and found it through > another CLL site. I have a question I am hoping you can help me with. > I currently work at s Hopkins Hospital, Bayview campus. I was a > GNA for many years but have now transfered to diet and nutrition as a > part time position. I see every single patient in the Burton > building every single working day. Patients range from the elderly to > the chronically ill to rehab. My question is, will I have to give up > this position and look for something with less patient contact? My > CLL was discovered when I had a small dizzy spell that got > progressively worse as the day went on. I didnt pay much attention to > it because I am actually quite used to dizzy spells. I had a colloid > cyst removed from the 3rd ventricle 9 years ago by stereotactic > removal I think it was called. I have been fine ever since and it was > non cancerous. It was actually a new lease on life for me due to the > panic attacks and anxiety I had been feeling as well as heart > palpitations caused by the cyst. When I seen the doctor concerning my > dizzy spells, he did a chest x ray and did blood work. He was > concerned because my wbc was 17,500. Asked me to redo them the next > day which I did. The next day it was 22,400. I was not feeling bad > and the dizziness had abated by this time. Again I was asked to go > back the next day and have them repeated. The third day they were up > to 30,000. He admitted me to the hospital where they did blood > cultures and a flow cemetry (sp?) which concluded that I did have > CLL. I have yet to see the oncologist. I was due to see him on the > 17th of April but the appointment was canceled due to an emergency on > his part, then he is taking vacation. I should also add that I was > discharged the next day from the hospital but advised to go and have > my blood tested again on the following Monday which was 2 days later. > When I had it retested, my levels had dropped dramatically to 6,000. > The doctor then explained to me that its when it is low that I have > to worry about the risk of infection. Being new to this disease, > there is only so much a person can find out and understand on the > internet. I really LOVE my job and would like to stay there as long > as possible. I am hoping that you can tell me if my risk of infection > is too great to stay in this position seeing over 400+ patients a day > or if I can stay there until I am at least showing symptoms. I have > been told by my GP that I am a stage 0. I dont know how he knows this > but that was what I was told. Thanks so much for your advice and God > bless you for all your help. > Shores > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 Dr. Andres Forero at the University of Alabama would be a good person to see. Rick Furman At 02:42 AM 11/30/2009, you wrote: I live in Birmingham, Alabama. Do you know the name of a CLL specialist here--perhaps at UAB? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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