Things that make you go, "Hmm."

BOX SCORE




Element

Current

Std. Range

Trend

Hemoglobin

11.2

13-17

v

Platelets

111

140-375

^

ANC

580

1800-8300

v

Well, ya just don't know what's going to happen. On Thursday, I expected my ANC  to go up. It had declined as expected and then it leveled off at 770. "Aha," thought I, "I'm at the nadir, and by Sunday when I have my next blood draw it should be showing a strong upward trend." WRONG!  As you can see in the Box Score, it showed a strong downward trend, instead. I am thankful that my hemoglobin and platelets are staying pretty steady. There is always something to be grateful for. 

Yesterday, we had a consultation with Dr. Brow. She agreed with me that, in the midst of crashing ANC, it's not a good idea to proceed with chemotherapy. So, she has postponed my next round until next Monday, depending on what my Thursday blood draw this week reveals. She also said we can lengthen the cycles to five weeks to give my body a break from all that poison. Those are welcome words. On the other hand, she said that if my ANC continues to decline on Thursday, it may be time for another bone marrow biopsy. 

Other things we discussed were muscle weakness and joint pain. The fingers of my right hand have swollen and I can't make a fist with that hand. Dr. Brow was unsure what might be causing that, but she said coupled with the joint and muscle pain it could signal an autoimmune reaction. My Thursday labs this week will include a test for autoimmune markers. In the meantime, she took me off of Levoquin, the antibiotic I take daily to protect against bacterial infections. Jill did some research and learned that symptoms of pain and weakness in the hands are a potential side effect of extended use of Levoquin. If a week off of Levoquin helps with the symptoms, Dr. Brow will switch me to another class of antibiotic. 

So, the saga continues. One certainly could never get bored with leukemia. There's always something new and unexpected to learn about. Dr. Brow is very responsive to our concerns. We are hopeful of going to San Diego soon to celebrate grandson Josiah's high school graduation. She was very supportive and said we can adjust my chemo schedule if needed so that our trip will fall within the time when my ANC is elevated. That will help to keep me safe in a new environment. Another item on my "I'm So Grateful For These Things" list. 

We are in quarantine until my ANC rises, so connecting with other people in person is temporarily off the table. Among other things, that led to disappointment that we had to cancel a visit from my brother Charlie and his wife Bev. They understand the situation. Charlie promised to remain flexible about when to visit, if I will work on getting my ANC back up where it belongs. DONE!

One thing leukemia has done for us is to teach us patience and spontaneity, and those are good things to be added to the ISGFTT list. So, thank You, Lord for your goodness and your kindness to us. 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

  1. AnonymousApril 19, 2023 at 2:37 PM

    My, oh my, I think I can safely say that you and Jill do take the prize for being the most patient and spontaneous folks I know. Take care and tell that ANC to get with it already!!! Donalynn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TomApril 19, 2023 at 5:03 PM

      I already told it. I'll show it your comment. That ought to get it motivated.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Happy Anniversary

Today is our wedding anniversary. Jill has survived 21 years with me. Our marriage is old enough to drink!! In many ways, it seems like only a couple of years since our wedding day, and in other ways it seems as if we have always been us. This, I believe, is what is referred to in the fairy tales as "wedded bliss." Only, in our case, it isn't a fairy tale at all. It's just, well...wedded bliss. How I love that girl! A year ago today, I finished my induction chemotherapy at Club Sunnyside. Jill picked up German food at Gustav's, which is across the street from the hospital campus. She also picked up Bundt cakes from "Nothing Bundt Cake;" a little one for us and a big one for the oncology staff. It was as fine a celebration as we could muster under the circumstances, and one we will never forget.  Today we had a morning clinic visit. This time for Jill's blood pressure, which with the help of a new medication added to her regimen, is perfect, thank you...
Read more

A Dream Come True

Image
BOX SCORE Element Current Std. Range Trend Hemoglobin 11 13-17 ^ Platelets 89 140-375 v ANC 2810 1800-8300 ^ When I was a youngster, probably about 10 years old, my dad introduced me to model making. Mainly we built models from kits, but Dad also taught me how to make a stick and paper airplane from scratch. It actually flew, with the help of a rubber band motor. But one of my favorite plastic model kits was an MG-TD sports car. You may remember this car from your youth (if you are old, like me) or from old movies, or maybe from a car show. It was a little, English two-seater with long sweeping front fenders and a vertical grille. The windshield (well, windscreen, if you are Brit...
Read more

Don' be that guy!

Remember the Mighty Casey? In Ernest Lawrence Thayer's famous poem "Casey at the Bat," he was the pride of the Mudville baseball team. We join the story in the 9th inning:  The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day: The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play, And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same, A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game. The crowd was in despair. Down two in the bottom of the ninth with two outs, they were beginning to leave the stadium. The next two batters were the bottom of the order and offered little hope, but Flynn hit a single, and Blake a double. Suddenly, there was hope for the Mudville nine, for the top of the order, none other than the mighty Casey, was coming to bat with two men in scoring position. Even a base hit would keep the game alive, and a home run, well that would end it in a glorious, ecstatic victory.  Now Casey, apparently, had embraced the hype about hi...
Read more