And Round 1 concludes

As of Wednesday, we are done Round One.

Tuesday, Harry had his last chemo of round one.  And it was a lumbar puncture (a spinal tap).   To most people, this sounds scary.  He had to be put under anesthesia.  It's the spine.  But, actually, it's the waiting that gets you.  You're told not to eat after midnight.  You have a 9 a.m. slot.  Somehow that 9 a.m. turns into noon.  And you become a Snickers commercial ("You're not you when you're hungry."). Two-hour appointments become six hours.

Harry, always proud to be in good shape, had his heart rate at 44.  He asked the nurse doing his vitals if she had seen patients with lower numbers.  He meant more athletic.  The unnamed nurse replied, "well yes, I've seen people dying.  So that would be 0."   (Hey, we call it malignant humour for a reason.)

This week was especially disturbing for Harry.  To those who know him, he has cared about two things regarding his appearance - his hair, which since age three he has worn shaggy to super-long.  And his fitness routine and great conditioning which the steroids have replaced with a puffiness.  It has been difficult for him to recognize himself in the mirror.

Wednesday, Harry had another PT scan to see how the chemo is working.  This is the scan that causes you to become radioactive.  Harry is injected with a big metal needle with isotopes.

And, then, we are not allowed within 4 inches of him and supposedly limited contact of only 2-6 hours during the next 18 hours.  I can forego hugs but will take the chances on the timing.   After another fast for this scan -- hey, it is Ramadan -- he enjoyed a breakfast of mushroom "Reuben," lox Benedict (see a pattern here?), plus kale salad, hash browns, grits, mac and cheese -- and, yes,  he ate it all.  High recommendation for Le Coupe on 11th!

The actual discharge papers

This week's numbers:

Normal                      Harry 6/18       6/24        7/1
Hemoglobin  12-16     Harry 14.1         13.3.     13.2
Platelets 150-350       Harry  235          174.       168
WBC  5000-10000    Harry 8750         6300.      6200
ANC.    Above 1500.                             4700.      2770

The new number ANC is absolute neutrophil count which marks the body's ability to fight bacterial infections.   Any number over 1500 is considered normal.  The higher, the better.  Any number under 500 is highest risk for infection and you must be admitted to the hospital.

There is a lot we learned about Round Two.  But I'll save something for next week.  Happy 4th!


We are off to Nantucket for 4 days!!!!