Friday Update

The doctor said today that I am only allowed visits with my caregiver (Mom or Brandon), so I won't be able to see Gary for a few days. I haven't seen him since Tuesday, so I am sad about that, although at the same time I would be too tired to really visit with him anyway. We had a really fun visit with him on Tuesday night. At first I had a hat on and he didn't seem to like it one little bit, but once I took it off he grinned and squealed and proceeded to pat and kiss my bald head. He seems to really like it.

My white count dropped, which concerns them, and he wants to be especially cautious for a few days until he sees it begin to climb again. (400 yesterday, 300 today, just fyi) They just gave me a shot of Neupogen, which is supposed to stimulate my marrow to make blood faster. Ouch. It causes pretty serious bone pain, but he said they will give me pain meds if I want. He also emphasized the importance of resting. I've been using meds to help me sleep at night for the last several days. As my iron drops it's easier and easier to just sleep all day. Maybe that's the best thing for right now, though.

I have still been running fevers off and on. I remember a woman who had cancer when I was young commenting about the "shake and bake" she went through. I understand exactly what she meant now.

The platelets, which were due yesterday afternoon, just now showed up. My platelet count dropped down to 7 this morning and I have petechiae all over my body again. They've had to draw a lot of blood lately, and my iron count is down to 8.1. (When I run fevers they culture blood from my arm and blood from my Hickman catheter). I've got a couple of blown veins in my arms now. Hopefully they won't run out of places to stick.


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Well this day's been crazy but everything's happened on schedule
From the rain and the cold to the drink that I spilled on my shirt
'Cause You knew how You'd save me before I fell dead in the garden
And You knew this day long before You made me out of dirt

And You know the plan You have for me
And You can't plan the ends and not plan the means
And so I suppose I just need some peace
To get me to sleep

- Table for Two, Caedmon's Call

Thank you again for all your prayers! We realized a few days ago that we have heard from every continent. I can't explain what an amazing, humbling thing it is to know that people are praying for me all over the world.