Recovery

The endgame for the neutropenia phase is recovery. Specifically this means your neutrophils regain their status in the normal range between 4000 and 12,000.

Two days ago I was at the low point at 200. We watched group 1 have three of their members jump into the normal range over the course of two days. The four of us were optimistic and hopeful that we would have the same result.

As it turns out, I was the only one in our group to successfully jump into the normal range with neutrophils of 7200. The individual that was not in range from group 1 will likely be in range tomorrow and join me for my rituximab infusion. Another member of our group was close enough that he may also be able to join us. The other three will likely have to wait till the next day.

Basically what this means is that I receive my discharge papers tomorrow mid day and for all intents and purposes I can go home. However, going home early involves changing airline flights and other things not so much in my control. If all things go well, we will move our flight up to Friday, but if not we will come home Saturday as planned.

Those are the treatment details. My body is feeling pretty rough and tumble. The injections we get to stimulate stem cell growth seem to come along with deep exhaustion and a lead like feeling in all of my extremities. I’ve still been able to stand up and walk, but a number of members of our group have had to resort to a wheelchair because their legs simply won’t respond. This will recover, but it will take time. We are all also anemic contributing to fatigue.

The process is moving forward and it is quickly coming to an end. I am looking forward to being home and focusing on recovery.

A group of us have held the nightly ritual of sunset gathering and wine drinking. The highlight of the day. Only the caregivers of drinking wine, the rest of us get to watch. But it still feels celebratory.