Hello family and friends ,
I went to my Feb. round one of three chemo treatments today. I had a few concerns, the top two were, would my white blood count be high enough to meet the 5000 needed to go ahead with the treatment. It was, but the count came in at a low 6,700. That opens the case for other concerns as the treatment moves forward, and especially puts a watchful eye on this cycle and the numbers of my white blood cell count. I really don’t look kindly to the chance of a dropped blood count with the chemo sickness coming early or another stay in the hospital. As mentioned in my last post, my last ct-scan was a mixed bag of results. I was told that if I did get chemo today it might be a different cocktail mix than what I have been getting. My Oncology DR stated that the current chemo cocktail might not be working as well as hoped for, but at least for this cycle, it turns out to remain the same. I have been scheduled for a future chemo cycle on March 7, 8 & 9 and that means it is planned to continue to be 28 day cycle and not go back to the previous 21 day cycle. That’s OK with me. I like the idea of an extra week to recover from the chemo. Again, because of my, not so good report on the ct-scan, I also am having a PET scan done sometime shy of my next scheduled chemo cycle. This time it will be done in New Haven, Conn, a mere 187 miles from my home. The hope for this scan is to bring into a clearer picture just what is going on with the cancer and to possible bring about a rethink on the chemo I currently use. On the dark side, it may show that any further use of chemo may be non-productive. On the bright side, maybe some radiation could come into my treatment, however, that seems to be very unlikely.
I met two new guys today at the chemo room. One Veteran had such a bad report to his tests that he was admitted to the Hospital. Before he got a room, He sat across from me and I was able to talk to him for a while. As it turns out he owns the same year, model and color Harley as my 1997 Heritage Springer, red on white of course. It was sad to see him head off to a Hospital room, I can say, I must know very closely how he felt. A still-ness sweep the chemo room as he left on his two feet refusing the wheelchair that was offered to him.
Another Veteran was already getting his personal cocktail of chemo when Sue and I arrived at about 8:00am. I was guided to the chemo chair next to him. He and I also talked along with another Vet that sat across from him. This third Vet and I have been in that same room at the same time on several treatments and have become very friendly. The newest guy sitting next to me had a long beard and without words spoken, I think he was concerned he might lose it due to the chemo. When I walked into the room, he looked at my bald face and my head with a skull rag and I think that he may have seen his fear up close and real. Later, as we were talking the topic of hair falling out came up. I took off my skull rag and showed him my hairless dome and then showed him a picture of me on my ID. Then I told him that not everybody loses their hair. That’s when the Marine across from him spoke up and said that he was one that didn’t lose his hair. I think it was perfect timing and I also think it helped to take much of the pressure off the newest member of this conversation and topic. Like me he hadn’t been with out a beard for 30 plus years. He also had family and friends that has never seen the looks of his hairless face.
Last night Sue and I went out for a meal with another couple. We had seafood, and it was good. These friends of ours surprised us with a bag with Christmas presents as we were readying to leave the parking lot after our meal. I’ve got to say, I’m just not getting any better at how to receive from others. Sue and I are so blessed with caring friends close by and also scattered all around this whole world, we are very thankful.
Sue and I have now lived 3 years in a neighborhood here in Sunapee, NH. I have never lived in such a friendly, helpful and caring neighborhood in all my life. I don’t even really know how to respond. Words just seem to fall so short. There is really just one way to say, "Thank You for caring", and that's from the heart, So Thank You for caring about Sue and I, we hope you are all blessed in the same mighty way that you have blessed us.
I’m going to try and fall asleep sooner rather than later, so I will say goodnight to all of you and wish you all well. I’ll send out another post if anything turns far from the trail I’m on.
Take care now
Sam chappy friend
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Topic: I might be down, but I'm not out! (Read 249624 times)