Heatherina

A day to praise

Today is truly a day to praise. I have been feeling very ill recently, and today was no exception. I managed to make it to the doctor, barely. However, I spent the greater part of the morning sick. The good news about being ill today is that I may have a stomach bug. Normally, this is bad news. And I think for anyone else it would be bad news (after all, who wants to be sick, especially if it involves puking?) but for me it is great because it means that it isn’t necessarily related to the cancer, just my weakened immune system.

But that is not why today is such a great day. At the doctor, I had a CBC which indicated an increase in my hemoglobin and platelet counts both increased. My hemoglobin level went from the 9s to the 10s and my platelet level went from the 60s to the 80s. If you are involved in medicine, you will know that I am still well under normal, but it is quite an improvement for me in a week. And for everyone else (including me before this ordeal) who has no idea what any of it means, I am making my own blood. More specifically, I am producing cells from my bone marrow which I wasn’t before.

So… what all these numbers mean is that I don’t need a blood transfusion or a platelet transfusion. But the really great news is that we know that the tumors in my bone marrow are shrinking, at least enough to allow my body to produce its own cells. So, the chemo is working!

And although I am still feeling sick, I feel much better than I did this morning and I am almost bursting with thankfulness. It is such wonderful, hopeful news. So, everyone, please, stop today to take a moment to give thanks because I am on the right track. The doctors have found the right tools to lead me down the road to recovery.

Ironically, as the chemo builds in my system, I will probably end up becoming weaker and sicker with side effects, but for now it is simply a time to be joyful in knowing that our efforts are not in vain and we are moving in the right direction.

Thank you for all of your thoughts and particularly your prayers. I truly believe in the power of faith. Please continue to pray for me and thank the Lord today for the good news!