Give Me a V!

Here's Blarny, our adorable dachshund. I'm sure he brought me luck.

Yes, the V is for victory! The chemicals have finally struck a vital blow against the lurking big C.

My first request of the nurse at yesterday's chemo, was to see the results of the previous day's blood test. She brought them to me penned on the back of a napkin! This didn't instill great confidence. She was off to do someone's bidding while I looked closely at the numbers. The first one caught my attention immediately. My WBC (white blood count) was 6.7 Could this be right? Normal was between 5 and 12 but I'd been showing numbers between 70 and 90 since January. I was sure there was a mistake. Probably a decimal point error, I'd be happy with 67, that would still be 'down'.

I asked Carolyn, my nurse, to check again. "Maybe it's a different system of recording," I said, "I know some labs use different indicators. Could it be 67? Maybe check against my last reading a month ago?"

"You're right, I'll take another look."

The pharmacist came by about the same time and I discussed the numbers with her too. "It looks fine but I guess you better get it checked," was all she said.

A few minutes passed while I puzzled over the figures on my precious napkin. I chatted with my neighbour, Gord, who was also finishing off his 8th treatment. Doing chemo is a hell of a thing to have in common but we chatted up side effects and naturopathic treatments.

Carolyn reported shortly. "It's right," she said. "You're reading about normal. You should celebrate, the chemo is really working for you."

"Wow! So if I'm cured when can I finish with this?

"That's a 'doctor' question. You're booked for another one in August."

I mulled over all this new information. Keep the pressure on the cancer cells! Wack it to 'em! With an end in sight I can handle this with ease.

I had one number that was TOO LOW! That's a switch. My platelet count needed a few more notches. It gets demolished by the chemo and must regain normal levels between treatments. I was being granted another week free of my 'hero chemical', fludarabine, until my platelets recovered. Fludarabine! Will I remember that name a year from now? I better make a plaque for my wall.

Life looks a little bit better now! Most of the waiting is over. There are fewer mysteries. Maybe eventually I'll label my condition with a specific tag. Will I be in remission or cured? Will I be back for more treatments? One step at a time. I'm content to savour this good news and move forward smiling.