Enjoy the Good

I woke up early this morning (5am) pretty rested and feeling good. I had a big 2 hr nap yesterday so I think I just didn't need more sleep. Last night we ate out and I was able to eat an appetizer (crab cake), a main meal (halibut over black truffle risotto), and dessert (apple upside down cake with praline pecan ice cream). I bet that my weight will be good today. My appt is not until 11 am today and each day the visit has been about 2 hours since I haven't needed blood or platelets the last few days. My last 2 units of blood came from Milwaukee. I still want to encourage people to help me by giving blood. There is a Red Cross center in Durham at 4737 University Dr or participate when your workplace has its drive. Believe me I will use the blood. My last HgB was 9.5 and my platelets were 15, 000. My white count is up to 0.5. As far as I know I don't have any neutrophils yet. Fortunately my counts are increasing slowly, which is what we want to see. A rapidly increasing number is a sign of danger since it means the leukemia cells are replicating quickly. My neighbor in the clinic is a sweet 70 yo woman from W. Va. She sits at the recliner next to mine and unfortunately, is seeing her counts go up very quickly. I know that she has failed her previous treatments so this is not a good sign for her.

Yesterday I took an hour walk and did about 3 miles. I am starting to feel like myself and may even be able to run again soon. It feels great to have the stamina and energy to walk 3 miles again. My body feels better, and I rest better with regular exercise. I think it also improves my appetite. I'd like to be as strong as I was before I went into the hospital.

My hair is beginning to fall out in droves. I should have them buzz cut me at the clinic because my head will be very patchy soon. Everyone thinks that after chemo, your hair falls out. Actually some people don't lose all of their hair or their hair only thins with chemo. And it doesn't happen immediately either. You assume that right after your 1st chemo all of your hair will fall out. Actually, it falls out about 2 weeks after the chemo, just enough time for the follicles to go into arrest phase from the treatment. Last time I cut my hair shortish after my diagnosis and then buzz cut it when it started to fall out in droves (like I'm experiencing now). I actually didn't mind being bald the last time. I got used to it although it was a little cool on my neck. I happen to have a pretty good head for baldness-not too lumpy. I have to say though that people take notice when you're bald. I found that in some places people actual stare at you (you get used to it). Also, women who have had breast cancer before, come up to you wherever you are to commiserate or encourage you (that happened to me at a Lowe;s Home Improvement once). Or people tell you that you are brave. I was at the grocery store once when this very professional, well dressed woman came up to me and said that she thought I was terribly courageous for running to the store without a wig or scarf. I didn't know the woman or she would have known I never wore a wig or scarf. But still it was a nice thing to say. So I am mentally preparing for the next few days when I will be bald again. And again, everyone will know that I am sick just by looking at me. I've got them pretty fooled for now. I look skinny, but otherwise pretty normal.

I'll sign off for now and add more later at the clinic visit.-tree