From Lulie

Monday I went for a monthly blood check at the cancer clinic having an appointment with Shirley the Nurse Pratictioner in the clinic. I was a little apprehensive because I haven't really felt that I was in remission until I had had two or three months where the blood test showed things remaining in the normal range. My apprehension was justified when the blood report came back that critical blood conditions were lower than normal:
-WBC 3.19 (4.5-11.0
-RBC 3.95 (4.2-5.4)
Hemaglobin 13.4 (12-16)
- Platelets 75 (140-440)
Neutrophils 47.3 (37-80)
Hermatocrit 38.5 (37-47)
Absolute
neutrophils 1.51 (was 2.5 last month)

Shirley had concerns about the drop in critical blood values above. (I noted, that while she didn't say it, she marked the appointment request for next month in the square which said NR--not in remission.) Shirley said since I hadn't tolerated the last chemo very well she thought Dr. Wallentine was reluctant to give me another and that protocol was that they would give 4 more treatments even with remission. I indicated to her that I thought problems with me from the last infusion period was more from pain medication than from the chemo. I will be interested to talk to Dr Wallentine about what he thinks about that. He always seems very concerned about my age since they don't have data on people in their eighties who have had chemo.
Today the office called and set up an appointment for me to meet with Dr. Wallentine on Tuesday, May 6, when we would discuss the plan of action we will be taking.

Good news: the chest x-ray that I had taken last Friday showed that there had been improvement in the lungs: one lesion reduced from 35 mm to 22 mm, a second one reduced from 19 to 10 mm; should probably have an0ther x-ray in a month.

I am fine. We will just move forward and do what has to be done and keep trying to know what Heavenly Father wants us to learn from this challenge.
Thanks for your love and prayers; they give me strength and courage. I love you all so much.
Love,
Mom/Lulie