I like to count things, so during the past 17 months, these are things I counted.Beginning with the initial visit to the ENT the beginning of December of 2014 after I had noticed a lump in my neck (on Thanksgiving) that I assumed was a swollen lymph node, this happened:
54 – Number of doctor appointments (this does not include the Dr’s daily rounds after already being admitted to the hospital)
6 – Medical procedures (biopsies, port placement, etc). I still have 1 more to go–removal of the port!
15 – Scans/Tests – there will be many more of these over time, starting the end of April
90 – Blood draws for lab work
37 – Days spent in the hospital as an admitted patient (there were many more visits for IV’s with just saline/fluids
43 – Days of chemotherapy
15 – units of blood via transfusion
4 – units of platelets via transfusion
Unable to count: Number of bags of saline. They ran 24 hours when I was in the hospital, and most 1-day treatments were followed by extra fluids for a few days.
94 – Number of notes/cards/care packages received. I’m sure I missed some. And this does not include the flowers and treats delivered by my sister-in-law every single treatment.
I had an appointment yesterday. My blood counts are good. My neutrophils (they fight infection) are normal (normal-people normal!) and everything is on the rise. We are good, happy. I don’t have to return to the doctor for a little over a month. That’s when we’ll do follow-up scans, tests, and get the port removed. There are other doctors involved that I’ll have to see to wrap things up, but that’s what we’re doing… tidying up loose ends and putting a lid on the ordeal.
Putting a lid on sounds great!
Hugs
Peggy
Gina–Praise the Lord, Girl–you’re almost there! So thankful for the place you are in now. Your blog has been difficult to read at times, but I think there must be a way you can somehow share it with others beginning this journey. It would be an invaluable resource. Easter will have extra meaning to you this year, as well as to all of us who have been cheering you on!