1-22-03 Journal Entry

1-22-03 Journal Entry

Main Page • John's Journal • CLL Information • Contact John • Seattle Cancer Care Alliance • MD Anderson

Another rainy, wintry day in the Pacific Northwest. It’s days like today that make me look forward to the beautiful sunny skies of summer. My current treatments are like these rainy, wintry days…kind of dreary. As the treatments put my cancer at bay, however, I can look forward to the beauty of being healthy and feeling great this summer.

I had my blood checked yesterday at doctor Ostensen’s office. Kind of a painful poke. Funny how some blood draws you don’t feel a thing and other times it really stings. There is one nurse that is the best. She has a special touch and I rarely feel her pokes. I tell her she’s the best. I suppose I should get a port and eliminate all the hassles of being poked for blood tests and having IV’s started for chemo treatments. However, I’m still wanting to hold off for a while. May sound silly, but I’m just not mentally ready for a port yet. Perhaps a painful IV start or two will give me the motivation I need. We’ll see.

My blood counts showed that my WBC count is down to 8,000 (normal) and my platelets are at 58,000 (up from 46,000 a week ago). AMAZING! My lymphocytes are at 67%(was 98%) and neutrophils at 28%. I am definitly heading in the right direction, but Dr. Ostensen said he’d like to see the lymphocyte and neutrophil numbers flip-flop. My hematocrit is down to 28% (36%-44% is normal). I was given a Procrit shot to boost those red blood cells which will help my hematocrit come up and bring my energy level up. The chemotherapy is what is bringing the red blood cell count down, not the cancer. I do look forward to having a normal hematocrit so I can get on the bike again. Give me a month or so.

I will begin my next cycle of treatments on February 3rd. Until then, I am enjoying the reprieve.

I’m trying to maintain my fitness as much as possible by lifting weights every other day at the YMCA. Calen & I enjoy working out together. I like being able to do that with him. Kyler spends his time at the YMCA practicing his free throws and Tanner enjoys challenging me in a game of Pig after my workout. Kyler won the Puyallup Elk’s Club Free Throw Championship this past weekend by hitting 20 out of 25 free throws. We’ll be spending Superbowl Sunday watching him compete at the Regional Contest. Oh, I can’t forget. On Saturday our family will be celebrating Michelle’s birthday. I won’t say how old she is. She might not like that. She is, however, getting prettier with age.

I am so grateful I am able to keep living a pretty normal life. I am able to work, spend time with my family, and do most of the things I enjoy doing. It makes living with cancer so much easier. In fact, like the front page of my website says, I don’t feel like I am just surviving…I am thriving. Thank you God.

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