"The luckiest unlucky"

Harry's day started at 11 am when he was forced to wake up (since he stayed up until 2 am, he would have slept until 2 pm if allowed.).

During rounds, his blood numbers were all within normal range.  Typically, during chemo, days 7-10 after induction, which Harry underwent last week, are considered the nadir, when the greatest drop in numbers are seen.  The three things that are monitored are hemoglobin, platelets and white blood cells.  Normal for each is listed with Harry's numbers alongside:

Hemoglobin  12-16    Harry14.7
Platelets 150-350       Harry  274
WBC  5000-10000     Harry 5800

Harry is in the normal range for every category!  Again this is amazing and shows how strong he is. Most patients have a sharp drop.  As our friend Leon Wieseltier observed tonight, "Harry is the luckiest unlucky person I know."

This morning Harry's Gan teacher Menuhah Peters came by with a project her class had made to brighten the room.  Each parent outlined their child's hand. Children then decorated their "hand" with markers. Together, children and parents picked a positive kavannah to write in English and Hebrew. And on the back was the child's name and photo.  How can you not feel better looking at this?

Miles Zhang was back.  He, Harry and 'Dr.' Melissa Lu placed a game of Monopoly.  

Pop Pop said his goodbyes as he returned to Florida.  While Amy took him to the airport, Harry's advisor David Connell stopped by.  Harry suggested a service project in which he would spend time with teen cancer patients.

Later, Esther Kimmelman Block came by and shared her experience as a leukemia patient.  Esther and Harry were at JPDS together.  When Harry was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, Esther was diagnosed with epilepsy.  Now, both are cancer patients.  Esther gave Harry her hipster hat collection which she thankfully no longer needs as well as her other tools for getting through the first year.  These meant a great deal to Esther and are now dear to Harry for that reason.

The night concluded with a visit from Lindsay Kaplan and Tamar Eisen, and Leon.  Harry had a better reaction to the chemo as he was on a stronger anti-nausea  medicine - Kytril.  This was suggestion by our Patron Saint of Medicine - Laura Tosi - who two years ago did chemo, took kytril and then saw her patients.

Harry also did two endurance rides today!  And big shout to our fabulous team of nursing Lindsey & Amy.  (Lots of Lindsa/eys and Amys today apparently!)

Check out tomorrow's post as we will have a special guest star.