Weekly Update

Every Friday I am very thankful for the excellent lab tech here in Anderson who draws my blood and I hardly feel a thing! This week's results show that my white blood count and my neutrophils have improved slightly, although my neutrophils are still lower than the standard for continuing treatment. My red blood count and hemoglobin have also shown a little improvement this week. So, I will continue this treatment cycle and continue to be very cautious about staying healthy.

We continue to deal with very smoky conditions, although there has been a little improvement from last weekend. More thunderstorms are expected this weekend in the mountains and, as of this morning, there were still 24 fires that were unattended in our county as all the manpower from California and several other western states were fighting other fires. There are currently over 1,000 fires burning in California.

We spent some time this week figuring out how we would implement the wedding and decorations in the alternate location that are already planned, made and/or purchased, just in case we have to make a change at the last minute. Jen is still hoping the smoke might clear out in time for her wedding, but she feels good about our alternative. We’ve left messages for the owners of the ranch this week, where the wedding is scheduled, but no one has returned our calls yet. We don’t know what the status of things is in their immediate area.

Thanks for your notes this week that always encourage me that others are thinking of me and sending up prayers.

California burning!

For those not living in our immediate area, you have probably still heard the news about all the fires burning in Northern California, 842 at last count, with approximately 140 of those in Shasta County where we live. We had a thunderstorm blow through over the weekend, which brought between 5,000 and 6,000 lightening strikes that started it all. The air is unbearable it is so smoky and the sun is an orange/red ball in the sky. Needless to say, this kind of poor air quality is not good for me in my condition. I stay in as much as possible with our air conditioning and air purifier running. But with the wedding less than 3 weeks away, there is much to do.

The fires and smoke have presented us with an unexpected problem in regards to the wedding. It is an outdoor affair at a ranch in the foothills about 26 miles east of Redding. There are fires all around that area and, as a consequence, the smoke is very bad there. There are more thunderstorms predicted for the next two weekends. Unfortunately, after a very dry spring, conditions are such that more fires are quite likely. We decided it would be a good idea to have an inside alternative in Redding ready for the wedding if it is too smoky or if roads might be closed due to fires. So, we have reserved our church and another location for the reception, just in case. Both places penciled in our request and are not asking for a deposit at this time, for which we are grateful.

So, now what’s happening with me in the midst of all these unexpected events. Even though my neutrophil count is lower than it should be for treatment, the doctor has decided to go ahead with this 6th cycle. So, I began my treatment yesterday and will finish the day after the wedding. I will continue to have weekly blood tests to monitor my blood counts since I am starting out with them so low.

I saw my primary doctor today who has put me on a low dose of antibiotic for the next 3 weeks to help protect me during treatment. She was quite concerned about the irritation from the smoke getting an infection started that we couldn’t get on top of quickly enough with my low numbers. She realizes how important it is that I stay healthy with the wedding coming up. She has also ordered an inhaler for me to help keep my lungs open.

Please pray regarding all the fires that are destroying so much property and for our decision regarding the wedding location. Pray also that I can stay healthy in spite of my low numbers and will continue to have the energy I need over the next few weeks.

Treament on hold again

My weekly blood test, done this morning, shows that my blood counts have dropped significantly since last week. In fact, they are lower than they’ve been since December. My counts seem to improve when I’m on antibiotics and within days of finishing them, the counts drop significantly. My drugs arrived on Thursday and now I can’t take them. I am waiting to hear from the doctor on Monday. My numbers are so low that I can’t be out and around crowds much and have to be very careful that I’m not around anyone who is ill.

We look to the Lord with trust that His hand is in this delay in my treatment again. We really need your prayers!

Treatment Cycle 6 - at last!

Things are finally improving. I was started on another round of antibiotics 10 days ago, as it had become quite clear that I still had a sinus infection. My weekly blood test last Friday showed significant improvement in my numbers. I spoke to my oncology nurse on Monday evening and the doctor is going to go ahead and order my cancer drug for this last cycle of treatment. It will be here by Friday when I have my weekly blood test. They were quite confident that my numbers would be back where they need to be by Friday and I could begin this last cycle of treatment. The only drawback is that I will now be in treatment during the wedding. Please pray for my energy level as the drugs can make me quite fatigued.

The Saga Continues....

My weekly blood tests have not been encouraging. My blood counts continue to be too low for treatment. When I spoke with my oncology nurse last Friday, she said she is wondering if there is still some infection that didn’t completely clear following my last round of antibiotics. They had improved slightly the prior week, on May 29, and my Oncologist/Hematologist said I could go ahead and go out of town on my yearly trip to the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland with girlfriends. I’m already aware of all the precautions I am to take and carry a thermometer, as a fever would require an immediate trip to the emergency room.

On Friday morning, May 30, about two hours before departure, my 3 friends from Redding, (who are all related to each other), called to tell me they were all sick with the same virus I was just recovering from and couldn’t go. This virus has become an epidemic in our area according to their doctor and is highly contagious. Jen and Steve got it, too, and are now recovering. The two friends from Portland were already on their way. So, I ended up making the 2 ½ hour drive myself and arrived just in time for our matinee that afternoon. We saw Shakespeare’s Coriolanus on Friday, and on Saturday afternoon we saw The Clay Cart, translated by J.A.B. van Buitenen; a story that takes place in India about 2,000 years ago. My Portland friends left for home Sunday morning, and I enjoyed a musical called Altar Boyz at the Cabaret Theater that afternoon. My cousin, Sandi, was available and came down from Medford to join me.

My energy held up quite well as we shopped, watched plays and ate good food; but I was getting a little fatigued by Sunday afternoon. I was grateful to my cousin of her offer to stay overnight with them and drive home Monday morning. So the bonus was a visit at the convalescent home with my Aunt Mae (Sandi’s mom) and spending the evening with Sandi and her husband. I was quite refreshed as I drove home early Monday morning and arrived home just as Steve and Jen were getting breakfast.

I am so grateful that I could get out and enjoy my annual trip. It was great fun to see my friends, my cousin and aunt. But my weekend ended up on a sad note as I heard the news the one of my brothers was just diagnosed with Leukemia. The type that he has is usually responsive to treatment, so we are hopeful for a lengthy remission following his treatment.

With my blood counts so low, my energy level has taken a dive, also. With Jen’s wedding just a few weeks away, there are many final preparations to make and the house to get ready for all the family who will be coming from many parts of the country. Please pray that my blood counts will come back up along with my energy level and that we will be able to complete the many required tasks with ease.

Thank you for your continued prayer support. If you would like to contact me, you can reach me at: xlchoir@hotmail.com.