I need to stop under-estimating things.

"So how do you feel, " the doctor asked. "Oh, I don't know, I feel good, really good, so you tell me," I smiled and shrugged back. I'm really get the hang of this aplastic anemia thing whether I like it or not.

So good news, with yesterday's predictions, I forgot to throw in, "I'm feeling a fit 126k" because in all actuality and despite the missing steroids, I came up at 113k platelets ~ 13k past my short-term goal. Literally winded, but I can figuratively breathe now.

I'd like to thank The Academy, those four extremely expensive bags of invaluable horse serum along with handfuls of pills, all the divinely donated units of blood and platelets from the selfless unsung heroes, Big Daddy G in the Sky and all his angels (you) here on Earth, and leafy green salads with plenty of avocados, and here's a high-five for okra.

Yep, without the steroids, I'm a little winded and slow ~ but that's just the anemia talkin.' I'll get over that and gain some form of energy soon enough ~ hopefully it'll be some type of super-power where I can churn out more beaded things for sale or maybe glow-in-the-dark or something cool like that.

I need a few thousand more white blood cells and red especially. My white cells are hopefully temporarily low because of the immuno-suppressing cyclosporine I take twice daily. And I knew my red cell counts were on the low-side because I can hear my heartbeat in my ears, but that is almost a comforting whooshing sound at times. Well, of all the side effects and symptoms, it is! The doctor decided not to tranfuse me with any units of blood unless my red blood counts fell lower or anything changed in the next two weeks.

So I'll watch that, and get another blood count early next week so I can go to Memphis and do some business. That's the plan anyway, although I have gotten Really Good at "Plans A" going out the window. But that's what "Plans B and C" are for, and that is The Truth.

I brought back my cat, Googie, and he's loving the extra attention and tuna here provided by my mom. My mother's cat is getting used to him even though she wants to rip him open like a drunk frat boy with a bag of chili-cheese corn chips.


Summation:
Two weeks ago, the butt-bone was victorious
with baby platelets @ 69k.
Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away
with an army of platelets @ 113k ~
13k over short-term goal of 100k.

At this rate, I'd say by next doctor's visit,
I should fall in the low-normal range of 140k.
But I'm thinking it'll be more likely
halfway to my long-term goal of 315k,
which my math-cheater mom would calculate
is about 157k.

Then I can get back to normal life as I know it, right?
Everyone, either hold on or stand back.

Next time, I hope I don't need it,
but I will gladly accept a unit or two of red blood
for good luck and hopefully farewell,
because it makes me feel like I just had a Mars Bar.

The doctor didn't order the PICC Line out.
Good, please don't anyone tell him any differently
in case he kindly forgot for my benefit.




short-term goal of 100k accomplished 03/13/07
with the help of a few hundred people and God.

new short-term goal: bleach the Neandertal hair growth
like it'll fool anyone, but hey

long-term goal: 315k

Where the fork have I been?

"Off to do 1.5 million errands," I said. I meant 2.3 million instead, and I'm still not done.


Your week begins with a rush, but quickly falls into a manageable pace that allows you to methodically plow through your chores. You turn toward the more serious side of life as you reevaluate what you need to do in order to keep the most important things on track. You've had your fun; now it's time to get back to work. Monday, March 12, 2007

Loosely translated, the fun part must be subjective.

Making platelets is good, relieving and addictive, but I wouldn't call it fun -- the knitting of scarves made things manageable while I've been coming off steroids for the past fews days. Maybe that counts as fun. But am I complaining? Nope. I can't have fun until I can get back to work. Good Lord, you take that back ~ I am not high! I don't touch that stuff. I just like to work is all. And, to tidy things up.

There, I said it and feel better for saying it.

Maybe being a Merry Maid is in my near future....hmmmm...

Also, I've just been scribbling down notes of interest and research to myself every day so I will remember not to forget, when I can, between the fun. Again I say "Steroids are the Beast Goddess Who Taketh with One Hand and Crusheth Thy Nuts With the Other." My figurative ones ~ not literal ones. The moustache and beard are throwing you, aren't they? Well I can assure you, it's about the most masculine thing about me besides proud, fightin' Irish attitude. Which mainly explains the tendencies toward scotch, too.

What? You got a problem with that?? Hey, my great-great-grandfather was directly from Ireland, I can say that. Why, if I weren't so tired and in need of a good waxing, you'd be in real trouble, buddy. Don't put down My People. Ooo, now you've gone and made me miss my cross-dressing friend ~ he always inspired me to keep my nails looking as luxurious as I could, which was completely motivating at the same time, and I could almost keep up with his hair but never his shopping for shoes...

My my. It's the 'Roids Leftovers gigressing again. Ignore me. I spend loads of time ignoring myself, too. I have tips on How To if you need the brochure.

Off to the doctor tomorrow for another platelet count, two-week checkup. I'm still playing the numbers guessing game ~ not because I have to, but also because a bag of jellybeans is involved.


For those playing the platelet-growing pool,

Last stats:
Two weeks ago, the butt-bone was victorious
with baby platelets @ 69k,
over halfway to short-term goal of 100k
I predict 99k, not because it would be
the normal, slow-growth average
but because it's a pretty number.

I may need a unit or two of blood for good luck and farewell, but we'll see.

I predict the doctor will order the PICC Line out soon. Not much of a prediction as he told me as much last time. PICC Lines only last for about 3 months due to risk of infection and thrombosis, and I got mine December 29th. Bittersweet because you could serve tea off mine it's so immaculate. I'll hate to see my Valentine go, but I must move on with my life ~ even if it means I will have to endure more pricks along the way without him. Needlepricks for blood counts...what did you think I meant? Sheesh!

Aw, who's kidding who...I love the way you think.


short-term goal: 100k
long-term goal: 315k
And, to get rid of the Australipithicus forehead hair, sideburns, and goatee...the nails, I'll keep.