I should have known better than to fall off the wagon.  After my initial foray into the world of GI Cocktail, my addiction has only grown stronger.  It’s as if my stomach is releasing gastric juices just so it can be quenched by the white slime that is GI Cocktail.  Usually I take it after lunch and dinner these days.  Thankfully it does the trick with my heartburn.

I think my body is trying to decide if it wants to finally be sick or not.  I developed a mild soar throat earlier today and it seems like one of my tear ducts may be clogged.  Hurts when I press on it.  I don’t have any other symptoms, so we are waiting to see what happens.  May be a little sinus thing going on.  Prayers for my sore throat are much appreciated, as it is harder to drink fluids like this.  I think they may give me some lidocaine to numb my throat so I keep drinking.  GI Cocktail works too 😉

Dan Evans may or may not have heard about my clocks of assurance post.  Either way, my clock is now fixed.  Actually, the true story is that a coworker simply called over to the hospital to alert maintenance that my clock was wrong.  Seems silly after the staff have told me multiple times they tried to get it fixed, but one call is all it took.  The maintenance man took it off the wall, hit a button and within a few minutes it was right again.  I also told him about a light that was out in my room.  He said he’d come back for that.  So ceiling lights of assurance is my next crusade.

Lindsey’s family had Christmas today.  While I obviously couldn’t be there in person, I was able to join the festivities through the wonderful gift of two iPads.  It actually worked out pretty well, as they propped me up on a shelf so I could see the whole room.  I ate some chocolate ice cream while I watched everyone open presents.  I also got to see the girls gets some of their presents and Tucker enjoy pulling on paper.  It’s obviously not the same as being there, but it’s still amazing technology that we didn’t have just a few years ago.  Thanks facetime!

It’s a good thing I’m not a betting man, as I didn’t get any blood products today.  However, I’m almost positive I’ll get them tomorrow.

WBC – 0.3

Hemoglobin – 7.2

Platelets – 11

ANC – Ain’t No Chance

As a reminder, the main number we are looking for is my ANC.  It has to be up to around 0.5 before I can be released.  0.5 is still a really low result, and I will most likely wear a mask outside the hospital and not leave my home much until the numbers recover more.  I receive blood when my hemoglobin drops below 7 and I get platelets when they drop below 10.

Atlanta 24

Detroit 10

Patience.  If I didn’t have it before, I’d like to think I’m developing it now.  Each new day is a gift, but sometimes it’s hard not to look ahead a bit.  Buy why look ahead?  There are 5 years until I’m cured.  One step at a time.  One day at a time.  One prayer at a time is how I’ll get through this.  So thank you for the lesson on patience.  Thank you for another day.  Amen.

WBC – 0.3

Hemoglobin – 7.4

Platelets – 13

ANC – My ANC might be harder to track down that Osama Bin Laden

If I was a betting man, I’d say I’m getting platelets and packed red blood cells tomorrow.  We’ll see what the results are.  My WBC is obviously still dropping, which is expected.  It may still go lower, but it would sure be nice to see it start to go up.  That will be a sign I can go home sooner rather than later.

I had some visitors this afternoon.  After passing a physical administered by Barbara Few, a select group was allowed to travel to my unit and sanitize the heck out of their hands before they walked in.  We spent some good times together laughing and they also brought some cards and gifts.  I really do appreciate my coworkers.  They are the best!

I appreciated all the cards and posters that were brought over today.  One card in particular had a very generous cash gift in it.  While Lindsey and I live below our means and are financially stable, we are definitely staring down some large medical bills for the end of this year and for my treatment next year.  I am very grateful for the gift as it will help a bunch with our out of pocket costs before insurance starts paying 100%.  Thank you to everyone who has given meals, gifts, cash etc as it has all helped keep us afloat during this time.

I’m an IU Health employee, with IU Health insurance, receiving care at an IU Health facility.  What good possibly go wrong?  Ya, my case worker laughed at that comment too.  Both times Lindsey delivered at North resulted in calls to the IUH billing department to get our charges fixed.  The people over there always got the issues fixed, but here’s to hoping my bills come right the first time.

Did I mention I have great co-workers?  I was once again surprised today with an amazing gift.  Apparently the PharmNet/Meds Int team has some pretty good connections.  I received a very nice gift bag from them and inside the gift bag was an official NFL gameball autographed by Andrew Luck!  Yes, Andrew fricking Luck!  Check out the photos link for a picture of me and my new prized possession. I’ve instructed Lindsey to put it someplace very safe and don’t let anybody touch it until I can get a case.  Heck, I felt like I needed some white gloves just holding it myself.

Today’s one day at a time gift was another brain teaser.  I’m close to getting it, but not quite there yet.  I think I’ll go back to my spiderman book for now.

Lord, I continue to be amazed at your hand upon me.  It’s scary at times to feel so well, but know that I’m so sick.  Will I be healed?  Or is all this just an illusion.  I trust you, as it’s the only thing I can do.  I am powerless, and you are powerful.  All I can do is say thank you for being with me.  Please be with those who need you.  Please be with Logan and his upcoming surgery.  Please be with my fellow patients, especially the ones who have been here longer than I.  Thank you for the gift of your Son.  Thank you for another day.  Amen.