Background
On Tuesday, August 21st, I headed to the office early for a day-long training session. While at my desk, catching up on some work, I received an unexpected email from the vet.
We’d had Chiana’s blood drawn and were anxiously waiting for the results. By this point, we were at a crossroads: her progressive numbers were slowly increasing, and we were getting concerned about the high cost of the medication at 200 mg a day. We started wondering if we’d reached a plateau. We even considered trying a similar drug or adding a “helper” medication, knowing we couldn’t keep up with the cost.
The Surprise
Normally, our vet communicates primarily with my husband—he’s the “geeky science guy” who can decode the numbers. So, I was shocked when I received this email. And when I read it, I was completely stunned.
Chiana was regressive!!! Even better, it was the lowest number we’ve ever seen.
Good morning! Chiana's value went down----0.38 x 10^6! That is the lowest that she has been with any test! I will call later on today to discuss the result and see how she has been on the higher dose of the Raltegravir. Talk to you soon!
Test Results
| Date | Status | Viral Load |
|---|---|---|
| 6/11/24 | Progressive | 13.52 x 106 = 13,520,000 |
| 8/13/24 | REGRESSIVE | 0.38 x 106 = 380,000 |
The Reaction
I was ecstatic! I tried calling my husband (who was still sleeping at home). I left a voicemail, then followed up with a call to share the news. He was just as stunned as I was.
Reflection
When I look at the test results document, it’s so amazing that the most important words are almost impossible to find—they’re so tiny!
Next Steps
- Retesting Date: In October.
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