Friday, December 18, 2015

Mountain Climbing Update, Grades, and More Cards

Two weeks after my 1st chemo therapy, for today.  Today, my scalp and the roots of my hair have started to hurt.  I think I will start loosing my hair shortly.

Today, I went in for another hydration session and to go over Wednesday's blood test results with the doctor.  My white blood cell count has gone down, from 6.3 a week ago to 2.0, even with the 4 booster shots.  :(  The normal range is from 4.5 to 10.5.  So, the oncologist wants me to undergo another round of 4 booster shots.  I had the first one today and will go back, next week, for the rest on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday afternoons.   I actually have another appointment with my regular doctor on Wednesday morning, so I am going to call her office to see if I can reschedule that for later in the day.  I am to also do another blood test, again, next week.  I am grateful that they are keeping such close watch over things and monitoring everything so carefully. 

I am to return to the cancer treatment center the Monday after Christmas for another hydration session and to go over next week's blood test results, which will determine if I'll need additional booster shots or not.  The next chemo session is still scheduled for January 8.

While I was having my hydration session, daughter worked on her thesis and submitted the draft (on-line) as it was due by the end of the day, today.  She has received the final grades for this semester's courses: a Pass on her thesis seminar (no letter grade), an A for Epidemiological Methods II, and an A+ in Nutritional Epidemiology.  So, even with all the upheaval due to my health issues, she still managed to get a 4.0 GPA for this semester. 

On our way home from the hydration, we stopped for gas.  Later in the afternoon, my friend M came over to do the garden.  He pruned the little peach tree and sprayed it.  But first, he helped daughter bring in and set up the Christmas tree.  It is an artificial, pre-lit tree that I've had for about 10 or 11 years, now.  All the boxes of decorations were also brought in from the garage.  I had to work on office documents the rest of the day.  I will spend the day, tomorrow, putting up the decorations. 

And finally, 5 more cards that I made:

Cards
Today, I am grateful for:

- All the medical care I am receiving
- Daughter's good grades
- Having the means by which to travel to the medical appointments with minimal bother (my own car, daughter to drive me, etc.)
- Help setting up the Christmas tree
- Phone calls from friends, neighbors, and family


8 comments:

  1. I am very thankful that the doctors are providing such good medical care for you. It seems that they are being very thorough- those are the kind of doctors that make you feel that you are in good hands. I will continue to keep you in my prayers for all you have coming up, Bless.
    And Hip Hip Hooray! for Little Miss Bless!!!! You have so much to be proud of, Bless, and she should be proud of herself too! Please give that amazing young lady a big hug and a high five from me! I am proud of you, Little Miss Bless! :)
    The cards you made are lovely! I have been keeping the kids busy making the treat boxes that Jess wrote about in her blog and we are giving them to residents in the nursing home (we are filling them with sugar free candy.) I like the idea of recycling the used cards and others getting more pleasure out of them. Next year I think I am going to try my hand at card making like you do because they are so pretty. :)
    Have fun putting up your decorations! :)

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    1. Dawn, so lovely to hear from you! I've been thinking of you and checking your blog regularly to see if there have been updates; hoping all is well with you and your family.

      I'm sure the residents in the nursing home are enjoying their gifts. So kind and thoughtful of you and the kids to include them in your holiday celebrations.

      Hope you will have a blessed Christmas.

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  2. Your cards are very lovely Bless! Now I wish I hadn't decluttered and tossed some before the holidays! Thanks for sharing the updates snd I continue to keep you in prayer. Congrats to your daughter!!!

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    1. Carolyn, thank you. You can start with this year's cards and get a headstart on next Christmas! :)

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  3. Good job to your daughter! I'm sorry your scalp is starting to hurt :-(

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    1. Thanks, Jess. The hair loss has started. Bunches of it came off when I combed my hair, this morning.

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  4. So happy for daughter and her being able to keep the 4.0 GPA. Sorry your blood was low.. Very happy they are keeping such good care of you. Praying for you.
    The cards are beautiful.

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    1. Thank you, Judy. I have no complaints as far the medical care is concerned. Truly blessed to receive the level of care I'm getting.

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