Mixed Day

December 13, 2012:  Chemotherapy day today.  I continue to be impressed by the cheerfulness of the nurses in this room.  They appear to be completely unfazed by the enormous responsibility that has been entrusted to them.  They move around the room, calling the veteran patients by name and making us feel comfortable. I am guessing that when they start calling me by name I will have officially reached the end of my initiation into this club.  (Another good thing about this room is that they stock the snack basket with Cool Ranch Doritos!)
I am now hooked up to my anti-nausea medicine.  I am dizzier than usual and my tongue feels thick.  To my own ears I sound as if I am slurring slightly but I must be making sense because my nurse doesn't seem to notice anything unusual.  I have been told that my Gemzar is doing a number on my blood so that could be the reason for my discomfort.  I asked about my blood work, was given a full lab report and I hope to corral a nurse before I'm finished long enough to have her walk me through it. 
The nurse was able to interpret my results before we left and I learned that both red and white cell counts as well as my platelet count are low and at the minimum for continuing on my original regimen.  I am heading toward my week off from chemo so our hope is that there will be an improvement in my numbers before the 27th, my next treatment date.  If not, they will suspend my chemo temporarily and will give me a blood transfusion.  The oncology nurse assures me that what is happening is not unusual for patients receiving chemotherapy and that I need not be overly concerned.
I have chosen to be thankful that my blood tests are indicating activity so to my tiny mind that means that the diseased cells are getting hit as well as the healthy ones.  In the meantime I plan to indulge my fatigue and to spend some quality time with my blanket and comfy sofa.
"My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance."  (James 1:2,3)