I wasn't feeling so good when I went in today, felt kind of beaten up from the inside out. So I figured my numbers might be down. "Lighten up, Francis", was all I thought.
The doctor came in, opened my files and gasped. "What" is all I could say. He looked at me over his glasses and said, "Those are some beautiful counts, so whatever you're doing, keep doing it." I laughed and said, "Well, red wine it is then!" and then I slapped his arm and told him NOT to do EVER do that to me again.
Thanks, folks, don't forget to tip your waitresses, and drive safely.
today's platelet count: 275k
long-term goal: 315k
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Happy Anniversary to me. With platelets.
You still there? Me, too.
I have really great excuses for not posting here more in the past almost 3 months. No, really.
One of the best excuses is that I feel so much better and stronger that I honestly stay gone and away from computers for days and weeks at a time doing anything I can possibly think of -- anything that involves being outside, being somewhere else, or just being.
But I wanted to make sure that I posted that thought for anyone who may have landed here looking for something positive to think about before, during, and after treatment for aplastic anemia: You will feel better. I know it's hard for you to believe, and I won't say that ATGam is a cakewalk because it's not. It's exactly the opposite of a cakewalk -- which isn't a "cookierun" but for now, hang with me until I think of what is the opposite of cakewalk because I am sorely rusty these days with the recent adjustments in my swilly Rx cocktail which has a real dumbing effect on my expression of words and a linear line of thoughts, and trying to focus some days is about as easy as counting thunder-struck baby chicks scurrying around the barnyard...
...
What was my point?...
Oh yeah, anyway I've learned that the ATGam is one stage, but the meds and treatment after ATGam is more than just physically challenging; it's "down the road a'ways, take a right and a left by the crooked tree, and another right that's more of a veer just past the henhouse" mentally challenging. Plus as with any recovery, it's a full-time job that you don't get paid for, not with green money to say the very least.
But in the end, the payoff is sweet. So remember that and forget the babble.
But I just wanted to let you know with my rusty words what I was up to and what you should plan on being up to one day, a year of so later, after being on your journey similar -- especially if its like mine (the new black this season that I'm convinced you'll be hearing a lot more about in the next few years), the ITP variety which results in aplastic anemia.
My point? Hold on. I think I have one. So please try to tell that to anyone who has had to listen to my endless talking-in-hyper-hyphenated-grasping-at-names-and-nouns-useless-finger-snapping-and-hand-gesturing mobius phone conversations full of jubilation, frustration, and fears. Yes, it is a thrill ride.
Hey. Is that the opposite of cakewalk? Victory!
Anyway: Point, please -- In a few days, it'll be one of several new anniversaries for me -- the year after I found out on a routine yearly exam that *something was wrong* with my bloodwork. That means a year later, I'm silent, but I'm still here. Some days I wonder why, but most days, I just plainly thank God and then plan on eating some sort of fancy cake.
One track mind. Cake cake cake.
I think the exact date was November 14th, 2006, but I'll have to check my PDA (which didn't fare as well this past year and is dead) for sure because it's an anniversary I plan on celebrating for the rest of my life, I suppose. Along with a few other important mile markers I've acquired this past year that I'm honored to celebrate, I believe everything good can and should revolve around cake.
Happy Anniversary to me and one day to you, too.
xoxo - bny
For those still keeping score, I'm still shooting for the long-term goal of 315k platelets:
Since my last post, I've had two doctor's visits, and the results were that my platelets were holding near 225 as an average. They dipped the last time, but I think that's only because I've stretched myself to the limits the past 3 months with physical things like the new dog-sitting job, listing/selling/moving a house, and other complete blurs like that. In retrospect, I haven't posted because I was afraid of riding a bike on a tightrope and looking down -- was afraid I'd fall if I stopped in the middle of it all. But, here I am again to tell you all this as a good thing. A year ago, I could hardly walk to the car from my job.
Oh yes, add to the list another anniversary I celebrated with cake: Friday, October 13th, 2006 -- the day I got my life tossed back to me from the Dark Side. Again: "Thank you, God. I saved You a corner piece of the cake."
Anyway, back to counting chicks and the Update notes: Being the labmonkie that I am, I've decided to add in a B12 injection every month for the past 4 months. Now. You might want to try this if you're running a bit macro-ish anemic. But. Now. I'm not saying you should do anything like that without your doctor's permission like me, but hey -- I'm a rebel, baby. And sometimes I pay the price for that. But my hematocrit levels have been coming up and improving slowly but surely, which means I'm getting less anemic every month. So all I can say is "why not", and it "feels like a hawaiian vacation" as my mother says. One shot a month isn't a thing to endure, and I'd add "human pin-cushion " to my curriculum vitae anyday as long as the right numbers keep coming up.
Man. I ramble.
Well. Enjoy the silence for now. But after all the dog-walking, house-moving, kitchen-repainting is done, I will post so much, you'll have a warrant out for my arrest. Yes, again, Mom.
Yeah, I kid.
Next doctor's appointment is November 20th. I'll guess that my platelets will be up to 230-ish?
I have really great excuses for not posting here more in the past almost 3 months. No, really.
One of the best excuses is that I feel so much better and stronger that I honestly stay gone and away from computers for days and weeks at a time doing anything I can possibly think of -- anything that involves being outside, being somewhere else, or just being.
But I wanted to make sure that I posted that thought for anyone who may have landed here looking for something positive to think about before, during, and after treatment for aplastic anemia: You will feel better. I know it's hard for you to believe, and I won't say that ATGam is a cakewalk because it's not. It's exactly the opposite of a cakewalk -- which isn't a "cookierun" but for now, hang with me until I think of what is the opposite of cakewalk because I am sorely rusty these days with the recent adjustments in my swilly Rx cocktail which has a real dumbing effect on my expression of words and a linear line of thoughts, and trying to focus some days is about as easy as counting thunder-struck baby chicks scurrying around the barnyard...
...
What was my point?...
Oh yeah, anyway I've learned that the ATGam is one stage, but the meds and treatment after ATGam is more than just physically challenging; it's "down the road a'ways, take a right and a left by the crooked tree, and another right that's more of a veer just past the henhouse" mentally challenging. Plus as with any recovery, it's a full-time job that you don't get paid for, not with green money to say the very least.
But in the end, the payoff is sweet. So remember that and forget the babble.
But I just wanted to let you know with my rusty words what I was up to and what you should plan on being up to one day, a year of so later, after being on your journey similar -- especially if its like mine (the new black this season that I'm convinced you'll be hearing a lot more about in the next few years), the ITP variety which results in aplastic anemia.
My point? Hold on. I think I have one. So please try to tell that to anyone who has had to listen to my endless talking-in-hyper-hyphenated-grasping-at-names-and-nouns-useless-finger-snapping-and-hand-gesturing mobius phone conversations full of jubilation, frustration, and fears. Yes, it is a thrill ride.
Hey. Is that the opposite of cakewalk? Victory!
Anyway: Point, please -- In a few days, it'll be one of several new anniversaries for me -- the year after I found out on a routine yearly exam that *something was wrong* with my bloodwork. That means a year later, I'm silent, but I'm still here. Some days I wonder why, but most days, I just plainly thank God and then plan on eating some sort of fancy cake.
One track mind. Cake cake cake.
I think the exact date was November 14th, 2006, but I'll have to check my PDA (which didn't fare as well this past year and is dead) for sure because it's an anniversary I plan on celebrating for the rest of my life, I suppose. Along with a few other important mile markers I've acquired this past year that I'm honored to celebrate, I believe everything good can and should revolve around cake.
Happy Anniversary to me and one day to you, too.
xoxo - bny
For those still keeping score, I'm still shooting for the long-term goal of 315k platelets:
Since my last post, I've had two doctor's visits, and the results were that my platelets were holding near 225 as an average. They dipped the last time, but I think that's only because I've stretched myself to the limits the past 3 months with physical things like the new dog-sitting job, listing/selling/moving a house, and other complete blurs like that. In retrospect, I haven't posted because I was afraid of riding a bike on a tightrope and looking down -- was afraid I'd fall if I stopped in the middle of it all. But, here I am again to tell you all this as a good thing. A year ago, I could hardly walk to the car from my job.
Oh yes, add to the list another anniversary I celebrated with cake: Friday, October 13th, 2006 -- the day I got my life tossed back to me from the Dark Side. Again: "Thank you, God. I saved You a corner piece of the cake."
Anyway, back to counting chicks and the Update notes: Being the labmonkie that I am, I've decided to add in a B12 injection every month for the past 4 months. Now. You might want to try this if you're running a bit macro-ish anemic. But. Now. I'm not saying you should do anything like that without your doctor's permission like me, but hey -- I'm a rebel, baby. And sometimes I pay the price for that. But my hematocrit levels have been coming up and improving slowly but surely, which means I'm getting less anemic every month. So all I can say is "why not", and it "feels like a hawaiian vacation" as my mother says. One shot a month isn't a thing to endure, and I'd add "human pin-cushion " to my curriculum vitae anyday as long as the right numbers keep coming up.
Man. I ramble.
Well. Enjoy the silence for now. But after all the dog-walking, house-moving, kitchen-repainting is done, I will post so much, you'll have a warrant out for my arrest. Yes, again, Mom.
Yeah, I kid.
Next doctor's appointment is November 20th. I'll guess that my platelets will be up to 230-ish?
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