Dec 30

Those of you who couldn't get Dec 27 scroll down to bottom of the blog, it's there now. My chemo ended today about noon. YEAH!!! Dr. Lee said she still doesn't know the strain, but my white count is dropping and that's a good thing. It means the chemo's working, although we don't know to what degree yet. To combat the fevers and possible infection I am now receiving 3 different antibiotics daily. My sister Mary and Debby spent the day with me and Dana got here after Dave got back from riding my motorcycle (lucky!). They are going to start drawing blood twice a day now. My bilirubin (spelling?) counts were elevated, possibly indicating liver problems, but fortunately they came down to normal and they say it was just a side effect from the chemo. I usually eat most of my breakfast and lunch but just don't feel hungry by the time dinner comes. Debby keeps "encouraging" me to eat and even when I don't, she still brings me ice cream from the hospital cafeteria. I'ts funny because I know I'll be in the hospital for a while and then be recuperating but I have been thinking about things I need to do when I get home. No, not Debby's list, my list!!!
I'm thinking about tuning up my mountain bike, the last couple of times I used it on steep hills the chain kept binding. I'm thinking about golfing, I haven't been in over a year. Also going to the gym, I haven't gone much this year because of a back problem and when I cut my hand. Oh yeah, I didn't tell you about my hand! We were at Brian's in early Nov and as we always do, Brian, Chris and myself were out front playing catch with the football. I went to catch a ball that Brian had thrown and felt the ring finger on my right hand kindof jam. I shook it a couple of times, picked up the ball, and when I went to throw it back there was blood all over my hand. I had to go to the hospital and get 7 stitches to close it. The point of the ball had gone between my ring and middle finger and ripped my hand apart at the base of my ring finger. What a freak thing, no? I guess from now on the old guy will take throws from Chris! Well, at least until he gets a little more velocity! I would also like to be able to spend time with Deb. She is still my sweetheart, the love of my life and we are used to being together a lot, but its different in here, we're together but its just not the same. I've heard people say you don't know what you have until its gone, how true! This isn't meant to be depressing, I will be out there doing those things again! Someone wrote me the other day and told me that God was blessing me thru this. No, the leukemia isn't the blessing! The blessing has come in many forms. One is that I've begun playing my guitar again and leading praise and worship again, something I truly love to do!!! Ok, I'm only leading myself at this point, but its more than enough! (LOL!) Another is the prayer time I've had with God. Its been so good I can't stand it! I've gotten to see family I've haven't seen in quite a while. Its strengthened the bond that Deb and I have, although I didn't think that was possible. The fear in my children's hearts, although painful to see was suprisingly comforting, THEY DO LOVE ME!!! (LOL!) My heart weeps thinking that there are millions of people who have to go thru things like this without God. He has kept my spirit lifted so high I almost feel like I'm wrapped tightly in His arms. Oh, what a feeling!!! Thank you all so much for your prayers, please, please keep it up!!!