One should never have to start their week by going to see a doctor, especially an oncologist. But, sometimes one just doesn't have a choice.
My week started with good news and bad news. The good news was really good and the bad news was just sort of discouraging. The leukemia is still in remission with no apparent signs of relapse. That's the good news. My bone marrow still has not started to produce effectively, so I am neutropenic and anemic again.
Neutropenic means being really, really careful that I don't get any type of infection or start running a neutropenic fever. It also means no fresh fruits or vegetables again. Oh,yeah, and still no raw eggs! Damn, I miss those eggs!
Worst of all, it means running around with a mask on and looking like some sort of thief or fool. But the other option is going back on house arrest and since I just barely have started to get back into the routine of the job I love, I have chosen the mask. If I am going to have to wear it for long, I need to devise something more stylish than the regulation hospital pale blue fan fold jobby-do.
I also need to stay the course at the office, because everyone else is falling apart. My right hand, the indispensable Valerie, is playing nursemaid to her husband who just had his second knee replacement in about three months and my Chief Deputy, Rhonda, finally went to have a bunion removed from her foot, only to find out that she also had no joint in her big toe. Yesterday they put in plates and screws on top of removing the bunion. I expect she will become very good friends with her percocet over the next few days and I doubt she will be rolling in with her little leg cart for at least a week.
Well, it's time to get ready to head to the office. At least it's Friday, which means I can wear jeans and I don't have to try to stuff my enlarged bottom into suit pants today. Thank goodness for small delights! And thank God for the big ones!
Friday, March 7, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
And there will be one child born in this world to carry on
On Monday, February 25th, the newest member of our family came into the world. Her name is Madeline Savina Fleenor and she is the cutest, chubbiest, sweetheart of a baby girl. Of course, she looks more like a month old baby than a newborn. Perhaps that's because she weighed in at 9 pounds, 7.3 ounces and was 21" long. She now holds the record for all our babies. Her daddy was close at 9 pounds, 6.5 ounces. Her brother Jameson is enthralled with his "Banana Girl" which is the name he gave her months ago when he found out he was having a baby sister. As his mother got ready to leave for the hospital, he asked if after Banana Girl got out of her stomach, would she be putting Banana Boy in? I guess he still wants a baby brother.
I go see the beautiful Dr. Batezini this morning. It's been about a month since I had my last bone marrow biopsy, so I expect today I will finally get the results and the appointment is not just so I can check out her shoes!
Everything has been going so well, I almost dread this appointment this morning. I am slowly getting a little more energy back. I can go all day without feeling like I'm going to keel over if I don't get a nap. I can stay up past 7:00 p.m. on occasion. I'm back to getting up in the morning between 4:00 and 5:00. I even have all my Christmas decorations down and packed away and there were times when I felt GOOD that I still had a piece or two lingering until Independence Day!
I need to be given a clean bill of health today so I can help the elections staff get ready for the May 6th specific purpose optional tax election and then it's on to the primary and general. Those are the days that I have to be at the office putting on the first pot of coffee no later than 5:45 a.m. Of course, there was that one time that I raced into the office at about 6:15 a.m. without a shower, no makeup, and hair looking like a spent dish rag because I forgot to set my alarm. There's still plenty of talk about that in the office.
I hope anyone and everyone who reads this on occasion is doing well and finding the new year treating them right. I want to again thank everyone for their concern, prayers, and good thoughts during these past several months. I know in my heart that it was because of all of you that I am still kicking today!
I go see the beautiful Dr. Batezini this morning. It's been about a month since I had my last bone marrow biopsy, so I expect today I will finally get the results and the appointment is not just so I can check out her shoes!
Everything has been going so well, I almost dread this appointment this morning. I am slowly getting a little more energy back. I can go all day without feeling like I'm going to keel over if I don't get a nap. I can stay up past 7:00 p.m. on occasion. I'm back to getting up in the morning between 4:00 and 5:00. I even have all my Christmas decorations down and packed away and there were times when I felt GOOD that I still had a piece or two lingering until Independence Day!
I need to be given a clean bill of health today so I can help the elections staff get ready for the May 6th specific purpose optional tax election and then it's on to the primary and general. Those are the days that I have to be at the office putting on the first pot of coffee no later than 5:45 a.m. Of course, there was that one time that I raced into the office at about 6:15 a.m. without a shower, no makeup, and hair looking like a spent dish rag because I forgot to set my alarm. There's still plenty of talk about that in the office.
I hope anyone and everyone who reads this on occasion is doing well and finding the new year treating them right. I want to again thank everyone for their concern, prayers, and good thoughts during these past several months. I know in my heart that it was because of all of you that I am still kicking today!
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