January 28th, 2018
Today it finally happened, my white blood cell count went down to zero! This is another scary benchmark, but we are happy about it. There will be another bone marrow draw from my backside sometime this coming week to confirm that that the cancer is dead. If it is not, I get to do some more chemo and stay in here longer. I am hoping cancer is dead.
Assuming we get good news, we have to wait and see how long it stays at zero. Everyone is different. It could be four days it could be seven before my stem cells fire back to life. They tell me that once your counts start coming up strong, they can double every day.
My goal right now is to get thru the next week. With no immune system I have to be extremely careful. I have had a strong immune system my entire live and it is surreal for me to realize I can fight off nothing right now. It is very scary, but the doctors tell me they are ready. I still have strength so I go for walks inside and outside the building, but I wear a mask everywhere but my room, I touch nothing and I wash my hands a lot.
Hair update: As I write this post, I look down at my black fleece jacket I see quite a few white whiskers laying on it. It appears that the beard is trying to go first. I am not seeing any head hair yet. I could wake up tomorrow morning and have it look like a cat slept on my pillow. I have two friends that are telling me "bald is beautiful". I think we are about to find out.
Comments (9)
Hey Kevin, hope you can keep your hair but if it falls out, bag it and ship it north. I'll even pay the postage. Also, if it falls out take a picture so when it starts to come back it will look like you have a lot. Frank Klein
Glad to hear you still have the energy to get out a bit. Keep up the precautions against those evil germs! We are thinking about you and sending good thought every day.
Hi Kevin, I'm glad to hear that results are going as planned. Don't worry about the hair; the worst that can happen is that it will grow back white. If it does, you'll get used to it. No big deal. Hang in there!
This is fantastic news! Keep up the good work:) If you were not so diligent (exercise, washing your hands, etc...), you might not have the same results. As far as the hair, what's the saying?, hair grows, right?!:) Again, you're doing great and keep on trucking. Janine
Hi Kevin, sounds like everything is going as planned, which is a good thing. Hang in there! It really is great reading your posts and keeping up to date with you. It sucks, but you have such a great attitude, and even the most scariest of things are mind over matter, it's been proven (and lots of prayers :-) which I know a lot of your friends and family are doing. We are all thinking about you every day! Let us know when it is safe for you to have visitors so we can come poke fun at your bald head LOL Kari
Love the updates Kev! And the analogy of a cat sleeping on your pillow...I actually giggled out loud (don't tell Norm!) Can't wait to see you when you get out of there! Don't worry, I'll bathe in Purrell beforehand :-) Take care, Brian
Phew! So glad to hear you're taking great care during this critical period. I can imagine this whole experience is feeling surreal for everyone in the family. Your hair ;-) Whiskers on your fleece! Cat on a pillow! Love these descriptions and sending big strong wishes for your stem cells, a healthy return to a strong immune system, and lots of hair. We think of you all everyday with love. Denise and Jim
I am slow to figuring out that you have been posting updates! I just read all of your entries and the comments. It was like binge-watching a Netflix series. We are thinking about you and your sweet family and can't wait to see you back in the neighborhood. Stay boring!
Sounds like you are in that window of time where you turn the corner or go in for another dose. Since I pray and direct energy best outside, I just took a long walk for you. Good thoughts Kevin, Frank