Red Cells and White Cells and Platelets, Oh My!

BOX SCORE Element Current Std. Range Trend Hemoglobin 11.2 13-17 ^ Platelets 116 140-375 v ANC 1900 1800-8300 ^ Yesterday, there was a chime on our doorbell. It was not that we were expecting anyone. We couldn't even think of an order that might have been delivered, although the other day the UPS man stopped by to see if we were OK, since he didn't have a delivery for us.  Jill got up and went to the door and found her close friend there with a big, beautiful bouquet of white flowers, mostly roses and lilies. Before Jill could say a word, her friend said, "I didn't pay a cent for these. We were at a venue where a wedding had been, and they wanted people to take fl...

BOX SCORE Element Current Std. Range Trend Hemoglobin 10.2 13-17 v Platelets 155 140-375 ^ ANC 1400 1800-8300 v What would you think, if I told you I have a frozen shoulder? Would you think I am being standoffish? Would you get me a blanket? Would you check for frostbite? Would you send me to a physical therapist? If you chose physical therapy (PT), you would be the most helpful.  I began PT today at Therapeutic Associates, Inc. in Salem this morning. Now why am I not getting my PT at Kaiser you ask. Well, that has not been explained to me in so many words, but because I used to work for Kaiser, I have some inside dope. When the system gets overwhelmed, and patients can't get...

  BOX SCORE Element Current Std. Range Trend Hemoglobin 10.2 13-17 ^ Platelets 123 140-375 ^ ANC 1600 1800-8300 ^ There's an old saying that the definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again, expecting a different outcome. Well, we are proving that to be wrong this weekend.  Here's the rest of the story. In October of 2021, when I was in the hospital for my third round of HiDAC chemotherapy, Jill and I started dreaming of what life would be like when I had completed round four, and there was no more chemotherapy on the horizon. Knowing that it takes me a while to recover from the chemotherapy, we decided we would plan an extravagant three day vacation...

BOX SCORE Element Current Std. Range Trend Hemoglobin 9.1 13-17 v Platelets 80 140-375 ^ ANC 2350 1800-8300 ^ Good news! Will you look at that ANC! I am solidly into the standard range for immunity. As I wrote in my previous post, we have been looking forward to this development so we may connect with friends and family... in person!! In addition, Jill's Mohs surgery (see previous post) was successfully completed on Tuesday.  So, she no longer needs to quarantine, although, she is not too keen on being in public with a big bandage on her nose. Nevertheless, we are rejoicing for good news on both our behalves.  For me, part of the good news is that, for a change, I have had an...