Chemo week

BOX SCORE




Element

Current

Std. Range

Trend

Hemoglobin

11.8

13-17

^

Platelets

101

140-375

v

ANC

2670

1800-8300

^

Chemo week...ah what joy! I get to see my friends in the infusion center again. The injections of the medication aren't very bothersome. The worst thing about chemo week is all the running back and forth to Salem for medical stuff. Thanks to Memorial Day, which was on Monday this week, Chemo week didn't start until yesterday, Tuesday. On the other hand, it did begin with a bang. First was blood a draw at 8:30,  and then a second trip to Salem at 3:00 for an appointment with Dr. O, my favorite Ophthalmologist, for yet another crop of styes on my eyelids. That was followed by my chemo appointment. Jill reminded me that I am now finished with three of my seven medical visits for this week. That was encouraging. The other four comprise 3 chemo appointments and another blood draw on Friday morning. 

So, all in all the week could be a lot harder to bear. I remember the week we had 18 medical visits! When chemo week is over, my blood counts will drop, and that is the tough part, especially if they drop far enough to keep us quarantined, or worse, if I need a transfusion. Having a transfusion is more boring than anything else, but when I need one, I feel pretty crummy until those little red (red blood cells) or gold (platelets) beauties are coursing through my veins. 

As you can see in the Box Score, my ANC is well into the "standard range," which means we are able to be out and about or have friends in. Accordingly, we have friends coming for dinner Friday evening, and our son Patrick and his family are coming for lunch on Sunday, which just happens to be Patrick's birthday. In case you're curious, he will be the same age as Jack Benny!

So, God is taking good care of us. We have had lots of opportunities for engaging with others. We have been able to attend church in person. I am feeling well, especially since my frozen shoulder thawed out, and we have reservations for a camping trip the week after next. So, life has smoothed out a bit for the Waughs. Is it perfect? No. Was it ever? No. Life has a way of sneaking up on all of us when we least expect it. But that is part of the adventure, isn't it! 

Stay tuned for further developments on most of these same stations. 

Bye bye. Buy bonds!

 

 

 

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