Blood levels dropping…

I’m going to keep this one short and sweet.

Unfortunately my blood levels have decreased dramatically once again. However, this seems to be the normal response of chemotherapy — killing both the healthy and remaining leukemic cells swimming around my body. So this is all expected, somehow.

The latest report from UCSF Medical Center:

White Blood Count – 1.3 (normal range – 3.4-10)

Hemoglobin (red blood cell levels) – 10.3 (normal range – 12.0-15.5) *when you reach below a 9.0 you are required to get a blood transfusion. This is where all those blood donations come in! My blood type is O positive.

Platelets – 107 (normal range – 140-450) *when you reach below 10, you are required to get a platelet transfusion. They try not to do too many of these because it’s not good for your body in the long run. But you don’t really have a choice when you really need them. Also, there is always a shortage of platelets; people tend to donate less of these than blood.

In summary, I feel very tired all the time. I’m not sure how low they will go by the time I see my oncologist again next Wednesday to discuss the plans and schedule for chemotherapy Round 3. I just want to be able to eat that slice of turkey with cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving without vomiting. I’m usually extremely fatigued, except for a couple 2-3 hour intervals when I force myself to walk/light exercise (i.e. up/down the stairs) and hang out with friends (in groups of two or less usually). Then I nap or rest as if I’m recharging my batteries. Today, I did something I know I’m forbidden to — I went to the movie theater with my Dad to watch 2012. However, in my defense, we asked the ticket seller to confirm the number of seats sold at 11 am in the morning and planned accordingly so that there would be the fewest number of people in that slot. Lo and behold, only 10 folks so we sat pretty isolated from everyone else, and I made sure I had my paper breathing mask on just in case, which I wore half the time. The movie? Supposedly it received pretty bad ratings … and although I shouldn’t be watching an end-of-the-world doomsday movie, it was surprisingly refreshing. Forget the cliches, the special effects were pretty awesome on the big screen!

I’m a very careful and cautious person, but sometimes I can’t stand being isolated for too long. Don’t worry guys, I am made of common sense and my health is a priority. But once in a while, it’s nice to enjoy something I took for granted once. And thanks Daddy for taking me!

Love,

Janet