This is the time we have anticipated since I started the blog... My counts are now bottomed out. Though they could go down a little more, this is the TROUGH TIME. I may be down here a couple of weeks with little natural immunity. It is like walking a tightrope. Nothing is wrong until something goes wrong. If I can get across this trough without a debilitating infection (bacterial, viral, or fungal), I will have accomplished the first of three steps toward recovery. I will have a body free of leukemia and strong enough to go to phase 2.
My prayer simple: stay safe from infection and any devastating complications from drugs I need to take to do that.
If I get past phase 1, phase 2 will begin mid May. Phase 2 is a time for going "chimera" (look that one up in your OED!). If I achieve chimera without leukemia, then I'll have one more hurdle, to lay my own biology down and give up any continuing fight with the biology of the donor that comes in to rescue me. But that is for later stories.
Right now, my goal is to stay strong and avoid infection and cross this trough safely.
I get more blood today. I'm off most medications except for things like Pepcid to prevent acidity and of course antibiotics.
Mostly my medicine is music, prayer, and laughter. I'm really enjoying those CD's people lent me. I'm having a "Tess Brown" day, listening to music she picked out for me. Yesterday our Prayer Group with Katheryn Stiles met here in a lovely room for visitors down the hall. We had Eucharist as well as our regular session. Debrah has brought Jackson this week. She comes everyday bringing me her bright conversation and Starbucks! Do you get it yet? I'm totally spoiled.
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