Sandy Harlan Sandy's Battle

From the Beginning:

In mid-September, Sandy went to her PCP for an annual physical. The blood test conducted at that time showed a low white blood count. Her PCP instructed her to have a retest about a week later. The follow up test showed that her white blood cell count had dropped further so the doctor referred her to see a hematologist. 

On October 19, Sandy had her appointment with the hematologist. He asked her a myriad of questions related to her lifestyle and health history. At this point he ordered an additional blood test and a bone marrow biopsy. The bone marrow biopsy was an expected test as it is really the only way to figure out what could be going on with the low white blood count.  The doctor was able to get the test scheduled for the afternoon of Friday, October 21. 

In true "Sandy Style," she went to the Holiday Mart Friday morning to get a little shopping fix before the procedure. A little retail therapy always helps!  She checked into the outpatient procedure and sailed right through the biopsy.  She was told the results wouldn't be available until the middle of the following week. 

On Saturday, October 22, Sandy received a phone call that no one was expecting to come her way. The on-call doctor at the hospital where the biopsy was done called her. The doctor told her the pathologist had found leukemic cells in the preliminary review of the biopsy. She wanted Sandy to check into the hospital the next morning to begin treatment immediately.