Well, I will have my 75th unit of blood (packed red blood cells) on Thursday. My Hgb was 9.6 on Tuesday, but normally not low enough for a transfusion. But with my history or dropping about .2 per day, it would be down to about 8.2 by next Tuesday. It will probably be 9.2 anyway on Thursday. This is also my 37th transfusion. Average time over last 4 transfusions is 9.8 days between. Other blood counts are normal.
I have a Dr appt next week on March 7th, but most likely no transfusion. Will start planning the details of the BMT which is only about 2 months away.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Transfusion #36
Still sounds like a broken record since I had another transfusion today, only 9 days since the last. This makes the count 73 units of blood. I was in for my weekly blood test on Tuesday and discovered my hgb was 9.1. Yesterday, I felt so tired that I went home from work after lunch and slept the whole afternoon. After the transfusion today, I still took another nap as well. As typical over the last couple of months, I made an appt for a transfusion for next week (Thursday) as well.
My other blood counts are normal.
My other blood counts are normal.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Victorious Engineer
Before I explain the title of this blog, my Hgb was 9.1 today and I will have transfusion #35 and my 71st unit of blood tomorrow afternoon. When I went in for my blood test today, I really thought my hgb would be lower since I felt more winded than usual and have been having frequent headaches, another symptom of low oxygen levels.
Last week, I saw a TV commercial that stated that elevated CO levels cause the same symptoms and that CO detectors become less effective with age. Ours was over 6 years old and should be replaced every 5 years. Since temperatures here were below zero for a whole week, our furnace had also been working overtime. I bought 2 new CO detectors, one with a digital display. The display has been reading zero every day downstairs near the furnace. The other unit is upstairs near our bedrooms.
Back to the title, I received a personal invitation to the "The Congress on the Future of Engineering Software" last week and approval from my employer to attend. The conference is on April 12-15, within about 2 weeks of my planned BMT. Doctor says it is OK for me to travel out to Scottsdale, AZ which is also near a branch of Mayo Clinic. Anyway, I appreciate the vote of confidence from my employer as well as my family and the doctor. I have something to contribute to this conference and to gain for use after my recovery from the BMT.
I AM getting there on the title. One of the principals in the conference is a very talented journalist named Joel Orr. A good first name, don't you think. Well, back in 1999, I received a book written by him as a gift after hints to my wife. Remembering the book, I went to my bookcase. There it was, "The Victorious Engineer". Not a coincidence, but a "Godincidence" which I consider further support for my decision to move ahead. I will be victorious over this disease as Christ was over death.
In reviewing the book again, I could quote positive encouraging statements from almost every page. For example, on the title page:
"A man who wins may have been counted out several times, but he did not hear the referee." H.E. Jansen
In the preface, "Of all human types, the engineer is one of the most God-like. Engineers design and make things of all kinds."
On the back page, Joel Orr states, "But all that comes to me is a quiet bubbling thankfulness ... and to God for giving me this wonderful life." He ends with "The Lord bless thee and keep thee; the Lord make His face shine upon thee; the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace."
After reading one of his articles years ago, I sent him an email asking him if he was a Christian. To paraphrase his answer since I don't have the exact words of his reply:
"If I am ever indicted for being a Christian, may there be enough evidence to convict me."
Last week, I saw a TV commercial that stated that elevated CO levels cause the same symptoms and that CO detectors become less effective with age. Ours was over 6 years old and should be replaced every 5 years. Since temperatures here were below zero for a whole week, our furnace had also been working overtime. I bought 2 new CO detectors, one with a digital display. The display has been reading zero every day downstairs near the furnace. The other unit is upstairs near our bedrooms.
Back to the title, I received a personal invitation to the "The Congress on the Future of Engineering Software" last week and approval from my employer to attend. The conference is on April 12-15, within about 2 weeks of my planned BMT. Doctor says it is OK for me to travel out to Scottsdale, AZ which is also near a branch of Mayo Clinic. Anyway, I appreciate the vote of confidence from my employer as well as my family and the doctor. I have something to contribute to this conference and to gain for use after my recovery from the BMT.
I AM getting there on the title. One of the principals in the conference is a very talented journalist named Joel Orr. A good first name, don't you think. Well, back in 1999, I received a book written by him as a gift after hints to my wife. Remembering the book, I went to my bookcase. There it was, "The Victorious Engineer". Not a coincidence, but a "Godincidence" which I consider further support for my decision to move ahead. I will be victorious over this disease as Christ was over death.
In reviewing the book again, I could quote positive encouraging statements from almost every page. For example, on the title page:
"A man who wins may have been counted out several times, but he did not hear the referee." H.E. Jansen
In the preface, "Of all human types, the engineer is one of the most God-like. Engineers design and make things of all kinds."
On the back page, Joel Orr states, "But all that comes to me is a quiet bubbling thankfulness ... and to God for giving me this wonderful life." He ends with "The Lord bless thee and keep thee; the Lord make His face shine upon thee; the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace."
After reading one of his articles years ago, I sent him an email asking him if he was a Christian. To paraphrase his answer since I don't have the exact words of his reply:
"If I am ever indicted for being a Christian, may there be enough evidence to convict me."
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
OK this week
Turns out my Hgb was 10.0 on Tuesday so that I don't need a blood transfusion this week. But figuring the typical drop in Hgb, I scheduled one for next Tuesday after a blood test on Monday. Other blood counts were 346 for platelets, 6.6 for white cells and 19 for Factor 2, all of which are normal.
Though just a formality, I received official approval from my insurance company to proceed with the BMT. Doctor has also approved my travel to a conference on April 12-15. I still need to get company approval for the travel expenses.
Though just a formality, I received official approval from my insurance company to proceed with the BMT. Doctor has also approved my travel to a conference on April 12-15. I still need to get company approval for the travel expenses.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Transfusion #34
Sounds like a broken record, but I had another transfusion today, only 9 days since the last. This makes the count 69 units of blood. I was in for my weekly blood test on Tuesday and discovered my hgb was 9.2. Yesterday, I felt so tired that I went home from work after lunch and slept the whole afternoon. After the transfusion today, I still took another nap as well. I have also had a lot of headaches and have been very itchy lately. I take Tylenol and Benedryl several times a day in addition to my regular medicines. As typical over the last couple of months, I made an appt for a transfusion for next week (Thursday) as well.
My other blood counts are normal.
My other blood counts are normal.
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