Dumpster diving

Dumpster diving. It almost sounds like a sport or a game of some kind; like those crazy people who jump off the side of a cliff, wearing a suit with fabric sewn between the legs and arms. I think it's called base jumping. The idea is to glide around like a flying squirrel, until you get so close to the ground that you have to open a parachute and land.  But as we all know, dumpster diving really is not a pleasant thing. (Base jumping sounds pretty unpleasant to me, too, but to each his own.) It's about rooting in unpleasantness to find something of value; or at least something one can make use of. 

I have arrived at the point in my recovery from round four of consolidation chemotherapy where the treatment has wiped out a number of my blood components, including neutrophils, red blood cells, platelets and who knows what else. I'm dizzy; yesterday, I could barely hold my head up long enough to take a shower; getting up from a chair comes close to making me black out. This is the dumpster I'm diving into for the next several days. 

I had blood drawn this morning for lab tests. The results will tell whether or not there has been enough cell destruction to warrant a transfusion to keep me going until my body begins to recover. The things of value I look for, when I'm in the dumpster, include lab tests that meet the parameters for transfusion. (A bag of red blood cells here, a unit of platelets there; they quickly improve my situation and my outlook.) I also look in the dumpster for the light at the end of the tunnel, when it comes to the post chemo symptoms and recovery. 

As I was writing that last paragraph, a notice of  the results of my lab work came in. I DO NOT meet the parameters for transfusion, today, which is what I expected based on past experience with chemo recovery. I believe that, based on the same experience, I will very likely need a transfusion on Monday. So, Sunday I'll be off to the lab for another blood draw. In the meantime, it's time to enjoy the weekend. Oh, there's one more thing. It looks pretty certain that I will avoid a trip to the ER. You see, I did find something in the dumpster I can use!!

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."  (Matthew 7:7)

 

Comments

  1. BenjyNovember 12, 2021 at 11:23 AM

    Prayers up for your weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  2. gardengirlNovember 13, 2021 at 1:32 PM

    Thinking of you and precious Jill daily!

    ReplyDelete
  3. PapaAlanNovember 13, 2021 at 3:16 PM

    Enjoy you weekend with your bride, absent the dumpster!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bob SNovember 15, 2021 at 12:09 AM

    Have a speedy trip for that life saving blood transfusion. It will make you feel like a new man.
    Donalynn

    ReplyDelete
  5. TomNovember 15, 2021 at 9:55 AM

    Thanks everyone. We had a pleasant weekend, and I will have a transfusion this afternoon. So, all's well! PTL

    ReplyDelete

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