IT’S BEEN BEAUTIFUL
Sorry Chicago. I know its been cold there… I can’t say the same for here. Its has been gorgeous. Las Vegas has been getting up to 70 degrees the past few days and I have been soaking in the sun. I am so fortunate that my nurses are cool and they pretty much let me have a run of Camp Summerlin. I have continued with my walks (up until the past couple of days – I will explain that in a second) and I have been enjoying time outside by just sitting and reading and listening to the birds chirp. In our crazy and hectic lives, think about the last time you did that. Do yourself a favor and sit and listen to all of the outside sounds for 5 minutes. It can do wonders for your stress level.
Some of the vines and plants are starting to bloom and the birds were enjoying the berries on the trellis out in the hospital garden. (Well they call it the Healing Garden….its a far cry from its name, but I’ll take what I can get. At least I can go outside and enjoy the weather!)
All of these pics were just taken with my iPhone, but I can’t wait to dive in and start using my new Canon that I got for Christmas. That just might kick start my next career as a photographer!
There was slim talk of me being able to go home by yesterday…obviously Sunday came and went and I am still here. My blood counts have remained on the high side and somewhat stable and I have felt great…until Saturday. My WBC (white blood cell count) plummeted to 0.4 (doctors like to see it at least above 1.0) and my platelets dropped from 120 to 80. That means I am now neutropenic (my immune system can easily be compromised), I get to wear masks again and not eat any fresh fruit or vegetables! Fun! It all comes with the territory and I am not surprised. Since Saturday, I have been getting daily platelet transfusions and shots of neupogen (a drug that is supposed to encourage the growth of white blood cells.) After 2 days, I haven’t seen the effect of the neupogen start to work yet. Hopefully it kicks in soon! The downfall of neupogen is that it is effecting my walking regimen. It can cause moderate to severe bone pain. I have quite a bit of achiness, stiffness and pain in my hips, lower back and shoulder joints. Needless to say I have not been able to walk my typical 9000 steps a day. I’m down to about 3000 steps the past few days just because I can’t walk as fast and its not that comfortable to do so. I’ve been taking it easy.
I give you all of that info just for fun. Some of you find it interesting – the ups and downs and the actual day-to-day treatment that goes on here at Camp Summerlin. BUT, the moral of the story today is still go outside and enjoy 5 quiet minutes. I know its easy to say when its sunny and 70 degrees but you might surprise yourself even if you are watching the snow flakes come down in Chicago.
