Return of the Unwelcome Guest
On Sunday, Spike pointed out a surprisingly dark bruise on my arm. I realized that my energy had been kind of low lately, and that I'd been feeling an occasional faint pain in my lower left ribcage, which I'd been attributing to digestive discomfort, but might be consistent with a swollen spleen.
On Tuesday I called Dr. Weissman's office, and Jill, her receptionist, who calls me 'honey,' rescheduled me from a June appointment to a quick Wednesday once-over.
Wednesday morning, Dr. Weissman told me I looked fit to her, but I should get some blood drawn, and she'd get me the results by that afternoon.
Friday ,morning, I finally managed to get Dr. Weissman on the phone. The hairy-cell leukemia is back, and I need another week of chemo. We caught it even earlier than last time (I'm not even technically anemic yet), so it isn't urgent, but the sooner started, the sooner done.
After talking wiht Spike and thinking for a few hours, I decided to give myself a few days to get things in order (a lot of apartment cleaning should happen before a neutropenic person tries to live there), and check in on Wednesday.
The therapy will be the same as last time: 168 hours of Cladribine drip in a PICC line to my heart. It's uncertain whether the fever that kept me in for an extra two weeks two years ago was due to an infection or an allergic reaction to the chemo, so I'll also be on an anti-allergic drug.
Visitors will once again be welcome. If last time is any indication, I'll be in better shape earlier in the week if you want to see a lively and entertaining Sebbo in his hospital gown. I won't know my room number or phone extension until I'm settled in on Wednesday, but i'll get that info out when I have it. Thanks to Thomas' loan of a laptop starting Thursday, I also hope to have a little net access, though that's not certain.
The whole thing is scary and stressful, of course, but not nearly so much as last time, since it's no longer a leap into the unknown. With a bit of luck, it should be nothing more than a big obnoxious inconvenience this time.
comment by Blue:
Lots of hugs and support sweety. I hope that it's really as easy as it can be, and that it's an annoyance, rather than something more serious. I wish I could be there, and give you a hug. virtual hugs and kisses for you
comment by magid:
I'm so sorry to hear it, though having caught it so early, I hope it'll be a much easier treatment.... If next Saturday is 'early in the week', I could come by then. I'm happy to bring anything you'd like...
comment by ruthling:
that sucks! I hope it really is nothing more than a big pain in the ass this time. We will be out of town when you are in the hospital, but if you need anything once you get home, please let me know.
comment by Molly:
Would visitors still be welcome if one of them is very very small?
comment by Sebbo:
Wee folks are not good, I'm afraid, because of my compromised immune system. Thanks to you all for your kind thoughts! I look forward to seeing those who can make it.