Don't Put Off Until to Tomorrow...

Maybe the next part of the phrase should read "what you can do today." Or maybe it should read fun that you can enjoy today. Or maybe it should read change that will make you happier. Or the trip you've always wanted to take or the bike you've always wanted to buy.

Anyway, I mention it because my labs came back yesterday with much lower values. My neutrophil count was down to 84 (from 300 on Monday while 1800-7800 is normal). My platelets and hemoglobin are significantly lower too at 71, 000 and 10.o (from 107,000 and 11.0). So I am very grateful to Dr Gwynn Long for seeing me in his clinic at Duke on Tuesday instead of Thursday and motoring to get me into the hospital. Now I have had my chemo started, and I am well on my way with this 7 and 3 regimen. Had my first dose of the daunorubin last night, and I am just starting to experience a tiny bit of nausea at the pit of my stomach. But I had the nurse give me medicine for it so it should lessen some in a while.

I've just done 30 mins on the treadmill in the exercise room across the hall from my hospital room. That felt good because they are giving me lots of IV fluids to wash out the breakdown products of the leukemia cells. My hands and feet are a little puffy. Walking on the treadmill helps a bunch with that.

At 5:30p or so I will get the next dose of daunorubicin (# 2 of 3) so that feel like progress.

I miss my little puppy dog Quigley and seeing the sweet view from our bedroom. Watching the small woodpeckers light on my suet cake or the goldfinches peck away at the thistle. But I can imagine it and that counts for alot. And of course I miss Zippy the most of all.

I'll write more later if anything worth reporting happens. If you want to come visit, Room 9202 or call 681-9202. Thanks to everyone who has stopped by. And thanks to Pam & Cindy for the big burly Teddy bear and balloons. Beautiful and cuddly, right by my bed.