Red cells 148, platelets 417. Doc notes that the platelets are quite high, which is apparently common after splenectomy, but that there is no significant risk. He looks steadily at Husband’s notes and comments, “The lymphoma is staying away”; “At … Read More
“The numbers are good”, the Doc announces to our relief: red cells are 14.6, platelets 420. We swallow a bit nervously at the drop – of all of .2. We know that it’s not statistically significant but we’re not statisticians … Read More
We walk in to see Dr Inscrutable, trying to read his face. Is he looking relaxed? Red cells are up .4 to 143, platelets up to 373. “You must be brimming with energy”, comments the Doc, looking very pleased. “It’s … Read More
A neighbour has died of cancer. She wasn’t young but that’s not the point. Cancer sucks. It kills people. I’m fed up of seeing the devastation it causes. I hate it. Mum came round and we had a jolly chat … Read More
We are both so tired – managing cancer and ME is not great. There is no let up with work, no temporary pass each time we have to confront the cancer with another hospital appointment. I’m tired of pretending that … Read More
Blood test day. We both try to be pragmatically cheerful as we get ready to go to the hospital. It’s difficult to know what to expect but we’re hopeful that Husband won’t need further chemo this time. Red cells are … Read More
We know this horrible cancer thing will come back but we really do have to approach this one step at a time. The first step was to get through this cycle of treatment. Husband is really pleased that he’s been … Read More
Husband couldn’t get to sleep last night (steroids really aren’t conducive to sleep) but he’s having a good sleep in the recliner in the Cancer Unit. The nurses are reassuring tired and confused patients, ‘ You have a lot to … Read More
Today’s blood test showed red cells at 121, platelets at 455 and white cells at 5.7. ‘Things are looking good at the moment’, commented the specialist, adding that the numbers may improve further with time. We asked about the likely … Read More
Day 2 (first day after this treatment) – In one sense we’re better at managing the side effects of the chemo now but we’re wondering if they’re cumulative – some things seem to be more noticeable now than they were early … Read More