Of Baseball and Footprints

BOX SCORE



Element

Current

Std. Range

Hemoglobin

11.8

13-17

Platelets

142

140-375

ANC

840

1800-8300

In the words of the immortal Yogi Berra, catcher, manager, and philosopher, "It's déjà vu all over again."  Today, I begin cycle three of my chemotherapy regimen. We started the day with a trip to Kaiser North Lancaster medical office for a blood draw. My heart goes out to the phlebotomists who are becoming harder and harder pressed to find a vein that isn't so full of scar tissue that they can actually get a needle into it to withdraw the teaspoon or two of blood the lab needs to do my blood counts. 

At this time of year, we have had many mornings when the rising sun was directly in our eyes as we headed east into Salem. Today, we had a welcome surprise. Not only was the sky cloudy and blocking the sun, we even saw evidence of rain: damp pavement and the occasional puddle. Hallelujah! Add to that the fact that the forecasts show temperatures in the mid seventies for the next two weeks. I am so done with summer and its 90+ degree days. Our lawn looks terrible, but one of the sacrifices I chose to make when we bought a house with a well and a large lawn is lush green grass. But I digress. 

You may notice in today's box score that, whereas my hemoglobin and platelet counts are remaining pretty stable, my ANC is down today. ANC below 1000 is considered "neutropenic," which simply means not enough white blood cells to provide reliable immunity. So, our isolation will continue for the foreseeable future. That is, of course, with the exception of trips to the medical offices; and we have a lot of those coming up. Ironically, where do sick people congregate? You're right: medical offices. Perhaps, you can see now why remaining in quarantine the rest of the time is so important. 

So, here's the line up for this week. Batting first was lab work at North Lancaster (NLC) this morning. Up next is a phone appointment with North Interstate (NIC) ophthalmology to schedule my next cataract surgery. In third position is chemo infusion at Skyline Medical Office (SKY). That will finish out today's play. Tomorrow and Wednesday, numbers four and five are chemo infusions at SKY. Thursday is another big day with labs at NLC leading off. In the second slot is chemo infusion at SKY.  And finally a follow up on my cataract surgery, also at SKY. Batting cleanup is another chemo infusion at SKY on Friday. 

Don't get me wrong. I am so grateful for all of these visits that are improving my health and well-being. I'm thankful, too, for good medical coverage, so we can afford this care without going bankrupt; I'm in no condition to get a job right now! Would I rather be at a baseball game? Now, I ask you. Nevertheless, Jill and I consider ourselves more than blessed.

Imagine if one or both of us had to hold down a job during this season. Instead, we have adequate retirement income and a good, reliable used Ford. Other than this pesky cancer, we have both remained well through all of these challenges. We have amazing friends and relatives who are all supportive, and in the words of my beautiful bride, "Half of Dallas is praying for us." Now, how could a guy complain?

So, we are marching forward one day at a time, and God is right by our sides. And if we feel a little weary from time to time, He picks us up and carries us! Praise the Lord. 

Footprints in the Sand
 
 
        One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
             Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
                  In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
                       Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
                           other times there were one set of footprints.
 
                                  This bothered me because I noticed
                                that during the low periods of my life,
                             when I was suffering from
                         anguish, sorrow or defeat,
                     I could see only one set of footprints.
 
          So I said to the Lord,
      "You promised me Lord,
         that if I followed you,
             you would walk with me always.
                   But I have noticed that during
                          the most trying periods of my life
                                 there have only been one
                                       set of footprints in the sand.
                                           Why, when I needed you most,
                                          you have not been there for me?"
 
                                 The Lord replied,
                          "The times when you have
                  seen only one set of footprints,
          is when I carried you."
                                                   Mary Stevenson
 
 


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