Day 217
Well I’m disappointed to report that my white count was still at 0.7 today! The funny part is, I was shocked but really had no other reaction to it. I was in such a good mood going into the hospital, partly because I thought my counts would be up, that I guess I was able to keep the good vibe going through the bad news. And it’s not all bad, really. The total count is 0.7 but my neutrophils came up a bit since last week. That means that things are probably starting to go into production. The awesome news is that my platelets are up to 70,000, the highest they’ve been in weeks. I’m not used to having good platelets and red cells, but low white cells. I know that they will eventually come up, it’s just going much slower than expected.
I sucked it up and wore a mask when I went to Target today. Yes, I felt like a freak sticking out like a sore thumb but getting over my own vanity is one of the things I’ve learned to laugh about through this process. I’m more disappointed I had to cancel yet more plans that would have involved socializing with friends, but I can only hope that as soon as I am normal I will be able to make up for it. I will stay tight at home for the next few days and then have another count done on Thursday.
The pain in my side has been a little bit better since Saturday. I’m trying different dietary changes and it’s hard to say if that or the improved mental state is what’s helping. I’ve gone ahead and done some yoga and exercising again and that has certainly helped to improve my outlook. Oh, and by the way, thank you all who have posted, texted or called me in the last few days to tell me I’m not crazy! I love you all and I’m so glad to hear I’m not the only one walking around a little anxious.
In other news, I found a great book called “The Book of Awesome.” It is completely unrelated to the “Awesome Book of Thanks” that I was promoting around Thanksgiving, but I guess I have a thing for “awesome” books. In any case, it’s about the little things in life that really make us happy, and I do mean little. Some examples are sleeping in new bed sheets, wearing underwear just out of the dryer, tripping and almost falling but no one saw you, hitting a bunch of green lights in a row, etc. It is a great reminder of the little moments we have each day that make us happy. For me, I actually thought about those “awesome” things while I was out and about today and here is my short list for a Monday:
- feeling the rush of hot air on my face when I walk inside from the cold
- when my children get dressed without a fuss
- Kieran taking a nap (really awesome!)
- finding out there is orange juice in the fridge downstairs when I thought we were out of it
- getting my temperature taken and it’s NORMAL!
- opening a package to discover the lipstick I ordered blindly online may actually be the most perfect lipstick I’ve ever owned
- when my iPod plays the most perfect set of songs randomly while on shuffle
Not bad for one day. Who needs white cells anyways? Ha, ha, yeah, um, I do, seriously!!! Anyways, I’m thinking that if we all made lists of 5 small things that really made us happy each day, a bad day might not seem so bad after all.
Hey Jess,
I WISH I was wearing a mask at Target most days, it always seems full of germy people.(Then again, I don’t like being around most people most of the time.) Next time just give me a ring and I can make that run for you, at least until you have an immune system!
Here’s my list:
- sitting with my purring cat on my lap early in the morning, unconditional love
-being pleasantly surprised that there is enough gas in the car to get where I’m going
-a good hair day
-listening to Lola read to me
-finding the last butterscotch puddin cup in the fridge
-AND I must agree…a great Ipod shuffle sequence always puts a smile on my face.
PEACE-Phaedre
Hey Jess,
I did a daily gratitude journal of 5 things every day for awhile and it really helped to remain positive and remember how blessed my life is. Need to start that up again! Anyhoo…..here is my list for today:
1) snuggling in warm fleece jammies
2) still having my Christmas tree up and admiring the lights
3) my Mom watching the girls last night and this morning for me—made my first morning back SO much easier
4) a new recipe made in my new rice cooker—–rice, edamame, feta cheese, olives, dried cranberries–YUM!
5) expressing my creativity in setting up our classroom environment
I hope tomorrow will afford you more rest and “you” time. Also hoping that your lipstick isn’t blue like that chick on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.
With Love–Gina
Jess
We’re all a little crazy aren’t we? Keeps it interesting! My 5 awesome things today.
- “i love you mommy” out of the blue
-putting my colds hands on a warm body
-thinking you are running late to work and getting in the car to realize you’ve got plenty of time
-sweet sleeping boy and dog curled up together
-hot tea, good book and silence
Jess, you are almost out of the depths of the latest low counts. I KNOW by Thursday it will climbing rapidly!
My five:
1. 4 kids giving enthusiastic spontaneous hugs when I get home from work
2. The perfect carmel latte
3. A few quiet moments with my husband after all the kids are in bed and before we slip into our own comas
4. daily chocolate of some type!
5. A full night’s sleep–haven’t had that in ages, but the thought of it keeps me going! I know that tonight COULD be the night, like being next in line (seinfeld!).
Jeez, finally one of you included your significant other in the list! What are we menfolk to you, a potted plant??
Chip
Shoot, who said something nice about their spouse? Melly? I’ll have to monitor the comments more carefully next time
Ha, ha. We all love our husbands, but it takes a lot to make the top 5 happiest things list. I’m sure most of them would make the top 20 though.