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| Hurrah. I have a fully functioning immune system again. I got my blood drawn Monday, and was released to go back to work on Tuesday. At that time my count was 4500 with 45% neutrophils. On Tues, I restarted one of my medicines, and got another blood test on Thursday. That blood count was 7500 with 70% neutrophils. I am so grateful to those who prayed for me. I know this was a direct answer to prayer. How else could I go from 900 with 0% to 7500 with 70% neutrophils in a week? People may say that the prednisone was the cause. I believe it was the tool God used to heal me. So, I'm not unique, I'm just like everybody else. I'm praying I'll stay that way! | | |
| Apparently my white count plummet is a rare occurrance for someone in remission. My bone marrow biopsy was normal -- but for some reason the white cells weren't getting out into my blood. I'm off all medicine except prednisone and xanax (for anxiety). I'm sequestered until I go to get my blood drawn tomorrow. The last level on Thursday was 4% neutrophils -- up from 0% on Wed. My total white count had gone up from 0.9 to 2.4, but a normal amount of neutrophils is 50%. I haven't been to work since 10/12. Sally described it as getting a flat tire, rather than run over by a semi. Before, I was able to let go of "why" when getting treated for lymphoma. This time, it's a lot harder to just rest in the Lord. I will probably get sent to a blood specialist at University of California San Diego Medical Center for a second opinion. I'm just so tired of being the patient. I want to be well, healthy, and living the life the Lord has given me. Our sons have been having a tough time, and poor John is having to be dad and mom again. Please keep our family in your prayers! | | |
| I saw my oncologist yesterday. He's a really good doctor, very supportive, reassuring, and not afraid to scratch his head and say, "I don't know". What we do know . . . it's not from the chemo, it's not lymphoma back again  , it's not because of the flu shot, and it's not from the sinus infection because that's bacterial. My white count increased from 0.9 to 1.3 in 2 days. This is good, but the level is still lower than it was in April when I was hospitalized. My doctor was planning to hospitalize me before he saw me. Fortunately, the antibiotic was helping me feel better, and I didn't have to go after all. Unfortunately, I have a rash like purple measles all over me now from the Cipro. It's not life threatening, it doesn't itch or hurt, so I'm taking an antihistamine to keep any other reactions quiet. Poor John is feeling a lot of frustration. No sooner do I get better, than I get sick again. I'm being a hermit at home again, so Dad is the taxi service for the boys and chief cook and bottle washer again. I only worked one day this week, and am not sure when I'll be able to go back. | | |
| Tuesday morning I woke up feeling off. I thought I had a fever, but I needed to get to work, so off I went. I took an aleve and then after it wore off, I took sudafed sinus. I felt ok, and work went along fine. On my way home, I noticed once again that I was having palpitations. I always thought I knew what that word meant, until Tues when I looked it up. It means being aware of one's heartbeat. Oh, well, yeah, I'm having palpitations -- have been for a couple of weeks off and on. I decided that maybe I should get it checked. I went to Urgent Care, where they checked me out. I told them about a couple of other symptoms I was having and they did a couple of tests for those. They sent me home on no medicine, and told me to check back with my doctor if the symptoms kept up. I woke up the next morning and knew I had a fever. I called in sick to work, which I hate having to do. I was lying in bed feeling yucky, when I got a call from my doctor's office. The Urgent Care sent her a message about me being there -- it's ok, it's the same medical group. So, I got an appointment for that afternoon. I was trying to be smart and didn't take any fever reducing medicine. I had heard that a fever can burn out the bugs, but in my case, I should have just taken the medicine. I was running a 101.8 fever when I got checked at the doctor's office. I felt horrible. But the focus at first was on my heart. They had done 2 EKGs in Urgent Care, and then another at the doctor's. They said it was fine. That was a relief. (Except I got a call today to schedule a cardiology appointment.) The nurse practitioner (at my dr office) told me he thinks I have the H1 N1 flu. And, I have an infection, which is what I thought, but Urgent Care said my test was negative. He sent me for a chest x-ray, and blood work. He prescribed Cipro, and sent me home, off work until at least Monday. So, while lying in bed today, I got a call from the oncologist who told me my white count was around 1000, lower than it was when I went into the hospital in April.  I have an appointment with him tomorrow and have to get my blood re-drawn first. I'm trying not to worry. | | |
| But I see God's hand in so many places in my life. Last Thursday, as I was driving to work, I glanced down at my cup as I put it back into the holder. When I looked up, there was nothing but white in my view. A Marine in a white Mustang convertable was making a U turn -- right in front of me. Despite standing on the brakes, it was too close for me to stop in time. Crunch.  I T-boned his car. So what does this have to do with Pollyanna?? No one was hurt. My car, though damaged, is drivable. If his insurance is the fly-by-night company it sounds like, I can claim against mine. I've been worried about my health again. Every twinge, twitch, ache, etc., I start to think I should call the doctor about it. Dr. Crucitt, my oncologist, ordered an MRI and a Dexa scan to find out about the compression fracture in my spine. I had the MRI today, and within 3 hours of the scan, Dr. Crucitt called with the results. When I heard his voice on my voicemail, I was scared because I thought, "here it comes". The tech had told me to expect the results after 2 days. Since it was so quick I figured it had to be bad news. So, the bad news is that I have arthritis in my back. The good news is . . . no tumor, no sign of lymphoma causing the fracture. So, no need for radiation. The Dexa scan is to see if I have osteoporosis. That's on the 29th. I've decided with God my glass is always all full. I just have to see the contents. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 I have a job interview tomorrow for a civil service position at my current work site. I would switch from being a contractor to being a government employee. Please pray for God's will. Thanks.
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