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With only three more units of chemo to complete the induction round, dropping counts brings on increasing weariness to make for a generally peaceful day. Less energetic, she received a third unit of blood to keep her stable.[...]
Post Hope site statistics on just 9th day of existence. If we're not responding to your beautiful comments, it's because we just CAN'T KEEP UP. Also, Cindy's a bit preoccupied with, well, leukemia. Meanwhile, Glenn is more than enough busy channeling Cindy on the home front. (hint - He's out of his league!)[...]
Cindy is officially neutropenic so mask-wearing and hand-washing is required and no hugging or touching when visiting.
Neutropenic has to do with the neutrophil count in the blood stream. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell (WBC or granulocyte) that protect us from infections, among other functions. Normal neutrophil count is 1.6 to 7.2 bil/L and neutropenic is when the count dips below 1.0 bil/L.[...]
I've been low man on the totem pole at work until Jeff's arrival last week. Now he is low man.
Jeff just marked his 50th year at nearby Brightmoor Church. Sitting at lunch with him yesterday, he shared about a friend who was prayed over going into cancer treatment including, chemo, etc., the works, like Cindy. Don't recall Jeff's friend's name. Let's go with Bill[...]
Besides finally moving to a nice, private room (8479), Day 3 was relatively uneventful. Cindy is still feeling well, is as sassy and smart-Alecy as ever as her counts slide ever lower. She walked a couple loops around the floor and even has a map that shows how many full laps equal a mile - about 9. Our son Adam came in tonight to visit his mom for a few days...[...]
We've been waiting for this, Cindy moving to a private room when it's medically necessary. This means the chemo is taking hold and her white count is diving toward "neutropenic." Maybe not yet but soon. [...]
Our friend John Crissman blends two strategies when he prays for healing, "Lord, by medicine or miracle, heal our friend." (He works for the Beaumont Hospital system but we believe praying this way is not part of his job description.)[...]
The story of the day is that Cindy's doctor couldn't find her during his rounds because she was out walking around the floor. . Eventually, they connected. So, a good day 2. [...]
Deep breath and.... we are underway! Right about 6 p.m. tonight, induction therapy was launched with the tried and true "7+3 Induction" that's been virtually unchanged for 20 plus years. If genetic reports later indicate certain nuances that can be addressed, other ingredients will be added to the "soup."[...]
As we now face AML, Cindy and I are about to mark our 40th anniversary on February 16 (2019). I think I speak for her when I express that we would desire to leave two primary impressions with anyone who crosses our path along the way of life: 1) Our love for each other and 2) Our love for Jesus Christ.[...]
