A reunion and a decision

My first night in a week not connected to Olive Oyl was wonderful. I slept like a rock. (That's just a saying. I'm not sure rocks sleep.) Anyway, I am well rested. Olive and I are actually having a reunion at the moment, while she feeds me some platelets and RBCs. I told Patrick about this new connection. His comment? "Oh, one of THOSE relationships, huh!" Yes, I am so fickle. I just use her when I need something and then cast her aside. 

My ANC (absolute neutrophil count - a measure of my immune status) is down this morning, which is not unexpected. It is a result of the chemotherapy doing its work. As a result, they started me on the "anti"-meds: anti-biotic, anti-fungal, anti-viral to protect me while my immune system rebuilds itself. Not a big deal, but I have lost track of how many pills I take daily now. 

I'm actually feeling pretty good today. The meds are messing with my intestines a bit; again not unexpected. But generally I feel OK. Energy is down, and I'm a bit light-headed, but there are those who know me and will not be surprised by that! A few RBCs and I'll be much more "with it." 

Jill is here with me. She has decided to take up a friend on her offer to clean our house. Since she has been gone most of the time for the last two weeks, things are a bit neglected. This is a big step for Jill, who sees keeping our home as her responsibility, which she feels she is shirking. But, hey, if you're not there, you can't do housekeeping, right? I keep telling her this will make her feel less pressured about keeping things squared away, but it also is a blessing to her friend who wants so much to help, when there is so little she can actually do. (Not that cleaning a home is "so little," you understand.) Thank you, Miss Dee Dee, for taking this load off of Jill's plate. Her visits are everything to me, and your help will ensure that Jill doesn't burn out trying to "do it all."

The plan for the day is to get my blood products and then go for a walk. Doesn't sound like much, when I write it out, but in the new paradigm, those are big priorities. I am blessed to be healthy enough to do these things. The NP told us yesterday about a woman around my age who came in with AML but was not strong enough to tolerate the chemotherapy. She has been referred to hospice. I thank the Lord for a strong body that can tolerate this regimen. 

"...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

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