Oops! It's Not a Bacteria Infection Afterall!: Day 100 Approaches

Blood Facts

White blood cells (leukocytes) are needed to fight infection. Normal range is 4,500 to 11,000.
Red blood cells (erythrocytes) pick up oxygen in the lungs and transport it to tissues throughout the body. They also pick up carbon dixoide from tissues and transport it back to the lungs where it is exhaled. Normal range is 4.0 - 5.2 million.
Platelets (thrombocytes), the smallest cell elements in the bloodstream are needed to control bleeding. Normal range is 150,000 to 350,000.
Hemoglobin gives red blood cells their color and carries oxygen from the lungs to cells. Normal range in women is 12 - 15 grams per deciliter. A significant anemia occurs when hemoglobin drops below 10g/dl.

My numbers are no where near any of those listed above, so you can easily see why I have to be so careful. I am very susceptible to infection and can easily bleed if I cut myself. I have to be masked when I leave the house, particularly around construction sites, I can't dig in the garden, color my hair, wear contact lenses, drink alcohol or drive. I have to avoid crowds and people with colds or who are not feeling well.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Day 100 Approaches

Tomorrow will be Day 100 post-BMT. I can hardly believe so much time has passed and so much "stuff" has transpired. It's truly been an amazing journey thus far and I'm happy to report that I am feeling really, really good. It's as though the Leukemia gods have finally accepted the fact that nothings going to break my stride and have released me from my suffering.

This past weekend was fantastic. I spent some good quality time with loving family and friends - we all know that can never hurt the healing. Tomorrow I visit the Doctor for a routine appointment and then nothing until next Thursday, the 10th, when I get my 2nd Lumbar Puncture. The fluid retention issue is under control and I can get my shorts buttoned again - as a matter of fact, they're down right baggy! So things are looking up - I'm feeling stronger every day and my new-found activity has slowly helped me to rebuild some of my lost muscle tone.