Luck Continues
My refusal to succumb to the dreaded "caution" signals that my low counts set off on Monday was a good move. My counts are pretty good today, and I had a nice few days eating what I wanted, doing what I wanted, spending a lot of time outside and generally enjoying myself.
WBC is up to 8 (neutriphils up to 5.2!) -- In Normal Range
HgB is up to 13.1 -- In Normal Range
platelets still low, but not worrying at 41
I didn't even need my Procrit shot this week because my hemoglobin has been so good. I go in on Monday again to get rechecked and perhaps to restart the weekly vincristine, depending on what my counts are doing. In the meantime, I'm planning on having a fun weekend. I've actually already started. I'm about to go out to eat with friends for the second time today. I'm such a social butterfly...
Thursday, November 07, 2002
Feeling Lucky Today
I had a wonderful day today. The weather was beautiful, so after doing some grading I promised myself to finish, I took myself outside for a long walk along the lake, with lots of stops along the way for enjoying the view and thinking happy thoughts.
I am so lucky to live in such a beautiful place, have such great friends and family, get to do what I love (teach), and actually have the time and the wit to enjoy it all. Not to mention all the great support and medical people I've surrounded myself with. Can't forget them!
Thanks were sent out into the cosmos for all of you who have contributed to the place and state of mind I'm in right now. I am blessed to have you all in my life.
I had a wonderful day today. The weather was beautiful, so after doing some grading I promised myself to finish, I took myself outside for a long walk along the lake, with lots of stops along the way for enjoying the view and thinking happy thoughts.
I am so lucky to live in such a beautiful place, have such great friends and family, get to do what I love (teach), and actually have the time and the wit to enjoy it all. Not to mention all the great support and medical people I've surrounded myself with. Can't forget them!
Thanks were sent out into the cosmos for all of you who have contributed to the place and state of mind I'm in right now. I am blessed to have you all in my life.
Tuesday, November 05, 2002
Platelet transfusion
I went in this afternoon for my platelet transfusion. I still don't quite believe my platelet count was that low. Why didn't I have any symptoms of it? No bruises, no bleeding, no red spots on my lips or in my mouth... I'm going to have my counts redone on Friday to see where I stand.
In the meantime, I've been exhausted today. I couldn't sleep last night. I was up til 4am, and then got woken by a phone call at 8am. I also have been having a lot of sinus problems today. I'm hoping I'm not coming down with a cold. That's what it feels like tonight. I need some good sleep, and an easy day tomorrow. I'm not planning on going anywhere, just doing a little laundry.
I went in this afternoon for my platelet transfusion. I still don't quite believe my platelet count was that low. Why didn't I have any symptoms of it? No bruises, no bleeding, no red spots on my lips or in my mouth... I'm going to have my counts redone on Friday to see where I stand.
In the meantime, I've been exhausted today. I couldn't sleep last night. I was up til 4am, and then got woken by a phone call at 8am. I also have been having a lot of sinus problems today. I'm hoping I'm not coming down with a cold. That's what it feels like tonight. I need some good sleep, and an easy day tomorrow. I'm not planning on going anywhere, just doing a little laundry.
Monday, November 04, 2002
Not Again!
I was really taken by surprise this afternoon when my platelet count came back as 8. I haven't been having trouble with my platelets for 2 1/2 months. I got spoiled by not having to even think about it--other than to brag about how high it was. Guess I forgot to knock on wood. So back I go tomorrow afternoon to get a platelet transfusion--my first since Aug 19. Damn. Maybe it will remind my bone marrow to start producing again. I know this is the week after chemo, and my counts are supposed to be low now. Just not this low. Last month the platelets got down to 34, but then bounced up over 100. Let's get bouncing again!
My WBC was okay at 3.9, but the neutriphils were a little too low again at 0.8, so I didn't get the weeky vincristine. Fine with me. I didn't want to get it anyway. The neuropathy in my fingers has been bothering me more recently, and vincristine is the culprit for that. I hate not being able to open bottles or packages. I had to have someone else open my granola bar today. Well, I suppose I could have ripped it open with my teeth, but I was trying to be couth for a change.
It's a good thing I had something fun to do after the blood count fiasco. I got a chance to showcase my online course again and I had a lot of fun with that, even though most of the people there were the online faculty. Talk about preaching to the choir. But it was fun exchanging ideas and getting some pats on the back. They're now scheduling me to do another demonstration for prospective students this time. They thought my course would be one of the more fun to hear about and to look at. That was nice to hear.
I was really taken by surprise this afternoon when my platelet count came back as 8. I haven't been having trouble with my platelets for 2 1/2 months. I got spoiled by not having to even think about it--other than to brag about how high it was. Guess I forgot to knock on wood. So back I go tomorrow afternoon to get a platelet transfusion--my first since Aug 19. Damn. Maybe it will remind my bone marrow to start producing again. I know this is the week after chemo, and my counts are supposed to be low now. Just not this low. Last month the platelets got down to 34, but then bounced up over 100. Let's get bouncing again!
My WBC was okay at 3.9, but the neutriphils were a little too low again at 0.8, so I didn't get the weeky vincristine. Fine with me. I didn't want to get it anyway. The neuropathy in my fingers has been bothering me more recently, and vincristine is the culprit for that. I hate not being able to open bottles or packages. I had to have someone else open my granola bar today. Well, I suppose I could have ripped it open with my teeth, but I was trying to be couth for a change.
It's a good thing I had something fun to do after the blood count fiasco. I got a chance to showcase my online course again and I had a lot of fun with that, even though most of the people there were the online faculty. Talk about preaching to the choir. But it was fun exchanging ideas and getting some pats on the back. They're now scheduling me to do another demonstration for prospective students this time. They thought my course would be one of the more fun to hear about and to look at. That was nice to hear.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)