Suprise news

Thursday I worked a half day then went to get blood work, dr. visit, and chemo.

I offered my right arm since the left one still looked bruised. Poor tech couldn't’t get any blood out of it, so we had to go to the left one (still sore). Walked across the hall to dr. office, got my papers to fill out (‘anything changed’ and the monthly update for insurance/contact). Then did the laptop update (almost an exact repeat, but my dr. prefers the paper). Got weighed (up the pound I was down yesterday), and into the exam room to wait for doctor. Waited and waited and waited, oncology nurse saw me and popped in for a chat. We talked about food, Chicago (she’s from there originally), and she mentioned that it looks like January for my stem cell transplant. Other that that she really didn’t know what Dr. G. had planned next for me. After over an hour, the doc along with nurse. He said he consulted with Dr. K the radiation doc and the area he wants to have radiated is the size of a postage stamp (the tumor area, not lymph nodes). Still not sure if I’ll get it or not, but it’s better than 2 locations! No word on the Zevalin yet. He went on to say my blood counts were too low for chemo (borderline), so instead I’d be given a shot of Neumega to stimulate the production of red cells & platelets. If there was no reaction then I’d get another one tomorrow. He also wanted to see what my reaction was so if they needed to use it later they would know if I could tolerate it or not (transplant time). I asked him why the counts were low and he said “there’s this guy in a sweater who keeps throwing chemo at you” (of course meaning him). So it was not totally unexpected. Anyway they were borderline not rock bottom. Then he said I’d have 2 WEEKS OFF!!! Yippee … not appointment until Dec. 4, and then the chemo that I was supposed to get Thursday. He was in an exceptionally good mood, even joking! We did our 'hello hug" and then afterwards I didn't even have to remind him to hug, he did it automatically!

Today I woke up feeling pretty good, no noticeable reactions (rash, fluid retention, fever), so will go in for shot at 11:30. Then I’m FREE!! It’s amazing what little makes me happy now. Will really enjoy Thanksgiving now!
Love to all