Good Morning!
Monday
I did that load of laundry and baked some fish. Dagan came over after work and we managed to get what I needed for Federal Housing all printed off but the printer is not fixed. Kept going offline for some reason...even right in the middle of a job. Made no sense and Dagan could not figure out why it was doing that. So as a last resort Dagan updated me to Windows 11, I believe it was. They've been pestering me to do that for months. Who knows if that will help or not, but I managed to print something since...once...so we will find out.
Tuesday
Leah dropped off a few groceries from Cashwise pickup.
Wednesday
On the way to the mailbox I ran into the maintenance man in the hallway and told him I hadn't even called yet but the washer was still leaking. Wasn't making the terrible loud noise it had been when spinning, though. So he stopped by late in the afternoon and it was a loose hose.
Thursday
Total pajama day. Started to watch Ozark.
Friday
Dagan took me to the clinic again. Was a day of mistakes.
First had the port set up and blood drawn. No doctor visit because just a yes or no for the infusion--so we went back out to the waiting room. David (nurse) came to get us to take us back. We found an infusion cubby and David said the bloodwork was fine. What a relief! But then a lady from the pharmacy came down to tell him--no--the numbers are too low. Turns out David had been looking at the wrong absolute result!
There are five absolutes they test for: Neutrophils, Lymphocyts, Monocytes, Eosinophils, and Basophils. My one that is below normal is the Neutrophils or ANC (absolute neutrophils count). Supposed to be minimum of 1.5 (not sure what they measure). When I almost wasn't able to get my infusion it was 1.2--but they let me get it anyways. Three weeks later it was .8 and now a week after that it was .7. David had been looking at the Lymphocyts--which is my only absolute that is in normal range. The last three are right on the minimum line. Nothing I wanted to know about in my lifetime--LOL!
Anyways, the neutrophils have something to do with the white blood cells ability to fight off infection/bacteria. (I searched online to find out what the heck it was.) If it gets low enough it's called Neutropenia. Below .5 is what I saw as dangerous--where you can lose your ability to fight off the natural bacteria in your body--such as in your mouth and digestive system. So you can get mouth sores or diarrhea and worse.
One of my sweet pen pals (Joyce B) emailed me earlier in the week to tell me she'd looked up what could help raise the ANC numbers--vitamin C, E, B12, and omega-3s for example. I also went online to research that and also how to improve immunity in general. So, since last Wednesday I think it was, I am taking some extra vitamins and supplements. Can't hurt!
Anyways, made an appointment for yet another Friday, cancelled the follow-up one in 3 weeks, and headed to my place. Dagan helped with trash and a really awful job that is a pain in the patoot--cleaning blood out of the bottom of the frig that leaked, dripped, and dried. A mess! (So much for being vacuum-packed.)
We did have time to chat during all of the tasks for the day. Annie is doing about the same--BUT she even jumped up onto my chair from the footrest!! [Has done so three times now! The last time I saw her wanting to try so I lowered the footrest a bit to make it easier for her. :)]
Saturday
Made soup. Had some frozen pulled pork I wanted to use up, mixed beans, lentils, peas, carrots, and some crushed tomatoes. Been a long time since I made soup!
With my immunity being low...Leah and I were discussing supplements and...well, I reluctantly had to admit to Leah that, once again, I could use some help with meals I can nuke. This past month or so I have been so tired and feeling weak all the time so that most of the time I am just doing whatever takes the very, very least effort to make to eat...like canned soups, cheese, toast, etc. (The low count is what pushed me to bake the fish earlier in the week and to soak the beans to make soup on Saturday--lol!) Anyways, Leah will help me out again for a while. I hate to bother her, of course. But--goodness!--she was here right away on Saturday with some meals I can reheat! Liam even helped to make food for Gramma, she said.
So, Leah dropped off food and a few supplements she had that I didn't. It was sprinkling and the boys were excited to have their clear umbrellas full of raindrops. She came to the patio door for the drop off so I got to see the boys from a distance. :)
That night when I went to add the upcoming appointment to our shared google calendars...I realized that the lady had made the appointment for two weeks later (13th) and not for this Friday (6th). ?? So, I knew I had to call Monday to find out what is going on. Another error from last Friday? (Yes, it was.)
Sunday
All of a sudden yesterday my finger started swelling up and is red on the side where it had bled where I pulled the loose skin away. Something my body normally has dealt with all my life. I did have this happen once over 40 years ago.
Anyways, this morning I had to call the clinic about both the appointment and my finger. Took me over 20 minutes (on hold twice because I needed to speak to an actual person in oncology) but I finally got through...and then they put me on hold to ask McCune about the appointment issue. Yes, I needed to come back in this week...and this time he wants to see me, too...the usual appointment sandwiched between lab and potential infusion.
They were full so I have to go in on Thursday morning. Leah will take me this time. I convinced the lady to leave the appointment for the 13th as it is--just in case--so I will already have a Friday afternoon appointment if I can't get the infusion this week. Can always cancel that one if I do get the infusion this time.
The finger. Well, I had put coconut oil (natural antibiotic) on it and a bandaid last night. It was not quite as swollen, red, or painful this morning. I am supposed to keep a close eye on it. If it does not continue to get better or even just stays the same I am to go in to have it looked at. She reminded me how I could have a hard time fighting any infection. Yes, I know...I know.
So I will rewrap it with fresh coconut oil early in the evening to get a good look at it...but it feels better than it did and doesn't seem as swollen. Yes, I am judging with a bandaid around it, though--LOL! Who knows what the week will bring as far as this goes now. Hopefully all will go well and it will heal. (Antibiotics can really do a number on me with my touchy gut issues so I'd rather not have to take any.)
Then...Blogger has been a royal pain. Many of you have also mentioned having issues with making comments. Well, I also get notifications of blog posts by email and I am getting one email with anywhere from three to ten post links! Especially with people who post more often. So I read them but maybe only comment (or try to) on one or two of them. I am not sure I am getting all my notifications, either. Maybe they will straighten that out one day, too.
FYI:
I will likely not post until Tuesday next week. I have a CT scan scheduled for Monday the 9th. Unless it gets cancelled because I haven't had my next infusion--but I will make a stink if they suggest that. You can bet on it. I want to know where I stand. Anyways, I do want be able to let you know what they found out and I can read online usually within a day or so. So, could possibly even not be posting till Wednesday--if I don't get the results (might as well wait till I can tell you the results of the scan) and I do have Katie coming to clean on Tuesday. So don't worry if you don't hear from me till Wednesday. If you haven't heard from me by Wednesday--okay, then you can worry--ROFL! Just kidding--I don't want you to worry about me. :)
I guess that's it for this week. I'll see you later next week...hopefully with some good news! Fingers crossed and say a prayer. :) :)
*love and hugs*
PS I have no idea why there's a highlight over all my words?? Can't figure out how to get rid of it. Sorry. Blogger--Blogger--Blogger!! Yup! A pain in the patoot!!
19 comments:
What a week you had, with frustrations and such things, my printer isn't printing this morning, I may have to restart the computer so frustrating
I’ve had neutropenia for over a decade and never even get a cold. Doctor decided my low WBC was normal for me. I need to look into the Windows update. I ignore those things, too. Good luck with the CT scan.
Hi Rita. You have had a busy week. I am glad that you were able to get the infusion. I hope the CT scan next week brings you more good news. How wonderful that Dagan and Leah live nearby and are such a blessing to you. I hope the swelling in your finger goes down. That is very odd. It's always good to hear from you. See you again soon.
FYI the comment issue is with the embed comment form like you have, people that use a phone or I pad cannot comment however if you go into your settings and choose pop up comments then they can comment....it is a blogger issue and I doubt they are working on it. I like the embed because I can reply right under the comment but I changed mine anyways.
Hope you have good week, do you have some antibiotic ointment to put on that finger...and don't pick at it!!!!
Be patient and see what your numbers are like this week. Always something it seems...hang in there! Hi to Annie glad she is okay for the moment!
Can they start giving you neupogen Injections? That is probably something to ask the Dr.:)
I sure hope your blood counts go back up soon! It must be a pain not knowing for sure when your next infusion will be. I have had that highlight on what I've written on blogger a couple of times and it was only on words I had copied and pasted. Blogger has sure been changing a lot of things lately especially with comments. I've discovered that sometimes comments will go into your blogger spam file instead of showing up on your post. So now I try to check that and I will sometimes find comments there. Take care and don't overdo things Rita!
I think you made the right decision to keep that later appointment, too. Your finger looks painful but it is good news that it's better today. And you made my day when you said Annie is feeling better! Sending you lots of virtual hugs and actual prayers. :-)
Is there not a meals on wheels program that could deliver a few meals per week?
Yes, blogger is a PAIN... I'm still getting my comments as far as i know.. I've been checking SPAM but not finding any there.. I TRY to be patient with Blogger as most things work themselves out eventually.. Lets hope so.. You have had a time with mistakes.. not good when you are talking medical things.. I hope thats done and over with now.. Onions and garlic are good for infections too if your looking for a natural way.. Do you have some oranges to help boost your Vit C? I was surprised to hear that Leah wasn't already making meals for you while you go through this.. Hopefully that will help you eat better now.. Hugs! deb
I remember from my husband's cancer experience how it feels to have the white blood cells so low you can't get a planned treatment :( {hugs} I hope the supplements help.
Canned and frozen foods are a blessing even for folks who don't have health issues. I always make more than I need and then freeze the rest in serving-size containers. I buy frozen fish fillets and frozen lasagna and those little frozen pizzas and such and canned soups for when I just don't know what I want. Leah is a treasure :) Your soup looks delicious!
I hope your next visit is more encouraging.
I've been enjoying Windows 11. I hope the upgrade fixed your issue.
I hope your neutrophils level rises for your next visit. The vitamin supplements are definitely worth a try. Your swollen fingertip is a bit of a worry. I hope the coconut oil continues to help.
Let's hope Blogger sorts itself soon. I'm okay for comments, I think, but Blogger won't let me alter the Blog List in my sidebar. Has been like that for a while now so quite frustrating. Might be time to consider a new platform though Blogger is free, at least.
Some are saying that the Embedded Comments are causing an issue but I do love that format so much. Might see how it goes before I change it. Hopefully my readers will let me know via email if they are having issues leaving a comment on my blog.
Best of luck for the CT scan results. Fingers and toes crossed for you, my friend.
Love and hugs xo
You always give us so much info good and bad. That way we really know you. I hope things get better. BTW that soup looks amazing. Have a good day.
Sounds like lots of frustrations this week. I hope they level off in the week to come. I liked AC's idea of meals on wheels if possible. A rotisserie chicken is always a good buy... at least two or maybe three meals and you can use the chicken in different ways (straight off the bird, added into a pre-made salad for protein, etc.). I'm glad they caught the neutrophil level.
Ouch, that is quite the week! Your comments are coming through just fine on our blog. I am rewatching the last season of Ozark before I started the current season.
What a week you have had, Rita, and that is certainly an understatement. Those swollen fingers looked nasty and hopefully were not as painful as the photo seemed. I didn't know that coconut oil could provide relief, so learn something new all the time. The soup looked delicious, but some days it can be hard to think about cooking so at least you had a good home-cooked meal and maybe leftovers (the best part).
I too wondered about the highlighting and maybe that option was someone "on" as you were doing the post, other than that thought, I have no clue. I have read that other folks have been having issues with comments but seem to be getting them on my posts. I do not review/moderate comments myself. That's way too time consuming and I would rather spend time reading other folk's posts even if I do not comment on every one.
Of course, we understand when you do not do a blog update so thanks for the advance notice. And,we would be concerned after a long absence because friends care.
I have a similar problem with my hands, and yes, I pick at the skin at times. I've tried to conquer it. Something that helps me is moisturizing my hands after every time I wash them or even get them wet. When I start to mess around with them, I cover up the spot with a band aid. The band aid helps hold in moisture and blocks me from picking at the skin.
Love,
Janie
I'm back to see if my second post was published. This is frustrating, Rita. I've tried to leave comments, at least.
Yikes on the fingertips! That's crazy. I'm sending you all positive thoughts for your newest tests on Monday. (unswollen) Fingers crossed it is all good improvements.
Oh my gosh! Your finger looks so painful and swollen. Sounds like it was a challenging week. I hope next week improves for you!
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