03/08/08 - Blog Updates

I added a few hyperlinks if anyone wants to see more information without cluttering this page. To the right I have added a "MEDICAL LINKS" heading. Right now,
there are just three links there.

"Blood Count Plot" - My current counts
"Calendar" - My Medical Calendar
"Pre-Surgey MRI Animation" - An MRI done when I was first diagnosed

Right below those links are more with the heading "LINKS". These are supposed to be to more entertaining content, but don't hold your breath - there is no new content there now, and it will likely be underwhelming in the future - what a resounding endorsement!

03/03/08 - Quick Medical Update

I just got back results of yesterday's blood test. My counts are high enough to receive chemotherapy this Saturday, although just barely. On Sunday, I will receive a shot of Neulasta to boost my white blood cell count.

To maximize Neulasta's effect, I have to receive it 24 hours after the end of chemo - seems strange... If you look at my blood counts from my 02/11/08 posting (zoom in by clicking on the plot), you can see my WBC count go up when I receive an injection of Neulasta ("WBC Shot") on the chart. Neutrophils also spike, as they are a type of WBC. Unfortunately, the increase only lasts about a week, but my WBC counts would be even worse if I received nothing at all.

03/03/08 - Medical Update

I had a doctor's appointment last Tuesday (2/26/08), and they took an MRI of my head as well as a check of my blood counts. The MRI was clear, which is good news. My blood counts were still to low to receive chemotherapy at the scheduled date of 3/1/08 (last Saturday). Now, I will have my blood counts checked again this Wednesday to see if they have come up enough to receive chemo this weekend (to knock my counts down again).

Yes, the treatment (chemo & radiation) has taken a LONG time, starting around November of 2006. Just be happy that you only have to read about it... It is boring to say (type?) the same thing over and over, but I want to be somewhat accurate if someone has to go through a similar ordeal. Once again, things become routine when you experience them often enough... At least the treatments are pretty mundane and not painful. I would rather not have the treatment calendar dragged out, but there are reasons behind it.

By the way, two more chemotherapy treatments (about 16 weeks) left...