What do these numbers REALLY mean???

[Blitz79]

My brother-in-law is currently in the hospital and we aren't getting much information from the doctors other than they want to do this, that and the other.     His T-cell count is 16!!  Does someone with a number like that GET better?  I don't mean to sound mean but please stop giving my husband's family hope if there really isn't any.  His white cell count is at 2,000, I believe and I can't remember for sure what his viral load was...I want to say 380,000 but I just don't remember.  They have done two spinal taps in about three weeks and there has really been no information provided from that.  They had discussed doing a brain biopsy because of 'spots' they saw on an MRI but decided against it.  They have also said they want to get a bone marrow sample.  I've been to visit my BIL several times and it's very hard to see him...he can't really carry on a conversation because he just isn't 'with it.'  He doesn't have much of a memory about anything...almost reminds me of an Alzheimer's patient.  It's all just very sad and frustrating and from what I have seen people post here, I thought someone could tell me the REAL deal.  I know it's not 'doctor' information but it's information from experience that I think many of you could give me.  I truly appreciate any words of wisdom, advice, comfort, whatever you have to offer!!

[Assurbanipal]

Hello Blitz79

Tcells are a measure of the health of the immune system.  With a tcell count of 16 your brother-in-law has almost no immunity to disease right now and is at risk of a number of very serious diseases.  He is quite ill.

But many people treated with modern medications come back from levels like that or lower and go on to thrive.  In fact there are a lot of us on this forum (my tcell count was 40 -- others have been lower than 16).  The most important thing you can do for him right now is to make sure that there is a competent infectious disease doctor on his medical team -- someone who is experienced in treating people with AIDS.

Good luck to you and I hope your brother-in-law does well.

Assurbanipal

[J.R.E.]

  His T-cell count is 16!!  Does someone with a number like that GET better? 

I did.  My t-cell count in October of 2003 was 16, my viral load was 500,000. I had just gone through appprox 8 months of waisting. My weight went from 170 pounds to 140 pounds. I looked like death. Also had pneumonia, and esophageal thrush. Things were Not going well. Also had shingles, a few times. But, I also was not dealing with some of the other issues that yourBrother in Law is dealing with. Never had to deal with a brain Biopsy, or spinal taps. These are very serious issues.

Currently, my t-cells are at 331. I've been undetectable for quite a while now. It was a long road to recovery. I still work full time. I got to admit though, there were times when I was didn't think I could do it.

I will be sending positive energy out to your brother in Law. Hopefully he has  good doctors, working round the clock. Continue to be there for him, and continue to support him. He needs that right now.

Ray