No dry bones

BOX SCORE
Element	Current	Std. Range
Hemoglobin	11.8	13-17
Platelets	140	140-375
ANC	2440	1800-8300

September is on the horizon. Can you believe it? In years past, but not since the pandemic began, that meant a couple of weeks' vacation in whatever RV we were using at the time. We were looking forward to renewing that tradition this fall. Then we got the news that my leukemia has relapsed, which put everything into question. This is a big part of why we have adopted a pretty strict "one day at a time" lifestyle. 

Today, we are going to try two days at a time. We have been unable to use the travel trailer since spring, and we have today and tomorrow with nothing on the calendar. (You'll learn in a moment why that is important.) So, on a whim, we decided yesterday to dust off the old buggy and do a two night camping trip. We're not going far; about 35 miles to Tangent, OR. Yes, I know. I had never heard of it either, until we moved to Dallas.

I had lab work this morning. You can see the box score above, and if you have been reading recent posts, you will notice that the numbers are declining gradually. This is to be expected as the just completed round of chemotherapy takes effect. Nevertheless, I feel great and the numbers are such that we feel pretty safe to go camping, where we can maintain pretty good isolation, as opposed to going to a hotel and/or restaurants. 

Now, the reason that having two days on the calendar is important, and incidentally, the reason we will not be renewing our September ritual of a couple of weeks on the road is that when we return on Wednesday morning, we will have time to clean up the trailer, do laundry and then prepare for a September barrage of what we call "medical stuff." To wit:

Thursday, I will have scans of my eyes in preparation for cataract surgery. Friday morning, I have a follow up appointment at which time I should receive a definite surgery time. That afternoon, I have an in person consultation with one of the oncology nurse practitioners in preparation for my next cycle of chemotherapy. 

The following week, I am tentatively scheduled for cataract surgery on Tuesday afternoon, with a follow up visit the next day. That means my surgery can be completed in the hiatus between chemotherapy cycles. 

Then the next Monday, another cycle of chemotherapy begins and will continue for two weeks. If all goes well, I should then get another 14 day "vacation." Two days after my infusions are complete, however, I am tentatively scheduled for my second cataract surgery. There will, of course, be a follow up visit the next day. 

Finally, I have appointments at OHSU on Monday the 26th to meet with the transplant oncologist and have some lab work done towards the end of finding a stem cell donor. 

Are you tired yet? I am, just thinking about all of this stuff. And I haven't even included blood draws every Monday and Thursday mornings.What makes all of this bearable is that I should be healthier when it is all complete and be able to see better in the bargain. 

I think I mentioned some time ago that Jill read a devotional, the gist of which was that we have a choice after God allows us to go through some trial or other that results in our being stronger, whether it be physically, emotionally or spiritually. We can continue to wallow in self pity, or we can, in the words of the author of the devotional, "Live like you are healed."

So, we are choosing to live like we are healed, while I am feeling good and have a day or two to do so. 

No one is guaranteed tomorrow, so my advice is to live one day at a time, like you are healed! And wear a smile. It's very becoming on your lovely face!!

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 17:22)