"Got to pay your dues if you want to sing the blues, and you know it don't come easy." (Ringo Starr). That lyric is what comes to mind as I think about our first 10 days back. Monday's visit to the clinic came with the surprise of a plummeting white count and low red blood cells. Troubling enough numbers that, even though I was not scheduled to see Dr. Rifkin, the nurse went and got him. He didn't seem unduly phased by my condition, attributing it to the heavy chemo I've received and saying he's seen it before, calling it "classic Arkansas slow recovery". So I've had daily visits to the clinic this week, multiple transfusions, and resuming growth shots to boost the white count. A full body rash appeared on Tuesday and we've been dealing with that. Other than all that, it's still great to be back home. The temperate weather and sunny skies lift my spirits and are everything I missed while in Little Rock.
Julia graduates from Colorado College on Monday. She'll be getting a degree in public health. She's had a great experience at CC and I know she will miss it. She will be working as an intern at the Colorado Dept. of Health for the summer (paid internship), so she's already gaining experience in her field. I guess she's now on her way. To where, we don't know.
Even though I don't get out much due to the low white count and fatigue, it still feels so good to be home. Thank you everyone for all you did for us and continue to do for us.
Dan
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2 comments:
Dan -
Funny...my WBC fell the first week I was back, too (although it didn't exactly plummet). My platelets didn't bounce back nearly as rapidly from the Melphalan as they did from the PACE I got up-front, either. With the PACE they were at 275 a few days post-neutropenia...now they are at 175 and it's been three weeks, almost, since the end of neutropenia.
Aah, the details of hematology. How I love them.
Anyhow, I hope the most important numbers like your M-spike are continuing to fall, and that your friends and the comforts of being home are restorative as I'm sure they will be.
I hope you are able to attend the graduation! Use lots of hand-wash if you do...I got a bad cold from one back-to-school night event with my daughter. Six year olds are like Petri dishes!
Be well!
Best,
Nick
Glad you're back! I trust we'll see you as soon as it is safe for you to see the germy masses.
Love,
Mukti
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