Thursday afternoon

Yesterday was a pretty normal day. I worked in the morning from home. I had hoped to go into the office, but the 5-6 inches of snow we got over night and into the morning convinced me to rethink the idea. I did go out in the afternoon and clean off my truck. Good exercise although I feel like I pulled something on one of my ribs. A little sore. The snow had turned to rain and I was worried that it would get colder and turn the layer of snow to ice on the truck, which would be hard to get off. I didn't need to go anywhere yesterday, but today I had to go to the Cancer Center for my blood work.

I went in and they were swamped. Poor Nurse E had a room full of all her patients, most waiting to be started on chemo, a couple of us there for blood work results. It took a long time and she was a little distracted, so I didn't really get to talk to her the way I had sort of hoped to. Specifically I wanted to more than mention (which I did) this sort of odd "pain" I've had the last couple of days in my abdomen. At first I thought it was gas, but I don't think so. It's not excruciating or anything, but kind of unpleasant. Comes and goes to some extent, but is more there than not. I did mention it. She wondered if it could be something post-surgery related, or even a hernia. She asked if I had seen or was going to see Dr. M. I told her I was supposed to have a follow up with him 6 weeks after the surgery - which actually was last week. So anyway, I did call his office and I have an appointment next Wednesday.

As far as the blood counts go, Nurse E said they were fine, but they do seem different than last time. Here's some comparisons:

White Blood Cells - Last time 17.4 ; this time 7.8; Normal range 4.0-10.5
Red Blood Cells - Last time 4.36; this time 4.04; normal range 4.2-5.4
Hemoglobin - Last time 13.0; this time 12.1; normal range 12.5-16.0
Hematocrit - Last time 38.0; this time 35.8; normal range 37-47

My platelets were still good - last time 300; this time 345; normal range 150-450

Anyway, Nurse E didn't seem concerned. But she also didn't have much time to talk to me about what it meant. I see Dr. R before the next chemo on Dec 23rd so I guess I just need to write down questions and take them with me.

At any rate, I'm doing okay. We still have quite a bit to do around here to get ready for the kids' visit. But I'm doing my best not to stress over it. It will get done. Or it won't. Either way, it wll be great to have them here. I'm feeling better already, and I think I'm on the upswing now and so should feel better every day from now on (to the next chemo).

Okay. I'm going out to do an errand or two. It's a cold and beautiful day. Blue sky. Clouds. Sun. Wind.

Peace.