Nothing is Ever Simple

Two days ago I had another bone marrow sample removed from my body. "We'll be able to tell if it's the lymphoma or the drugs affecting your blood count," said the doctor as he extracted his hollow tube from deep inside my punctured butt. "It really looks like murky blood. Don't worry the pain will be gone in a day or two."

"You're saying the lymphoma could be causing the low count. I thought it caused the high count?"

"It could have moved into your bone marrow," was the reply.

For 24 hours I was back in limbo land agonizing over my future on earth. It the cancer was back, how could it be treated in my bones? If the rituximab was suppressing my white cells, would the condition ever heal? Maybe I wouldn't be given the drug again. Maybe I'd be going back into chemo. Maybe a marrow transplant was the only solution. Maybe, maybe, maybe .... Ugh!

Before I'd gone for the marrow removal I'd done a little research. I was convinced I had a condition called neutropenia. As the doctor made notes beside me I spotted the scribbled word on my chart.
"That's what I looked up this morning!" I said, pointing with smug satisfaction.
"Neutrophils are one type of white cell," he said. "Yours are too low, hence neutropenia."

The following afternoon Dr. Y phoned to deliver the news. "No lymphoma," were his first words. Relief wafted around me like a warm bath. "The rituximab isn't in evidence either but you have a Vitamin B deficiency showing probably from malabsorption."

So let's see! I have neutropenia or low white cell count, caused by Vitamin B12 deficiency, caused by malabsorption, caused by atrophy in the stomach, caused by (take your pick) old age, chemo damage, or miscellaneous infections. My single annoying symptom is on and off fatigue. My solution, take daily Vitamin B12 pills and pee yellow! I feel better already.