Today has. been a day for scoreboard watching. There are 3-teams of concern. The 3-teams are: ANC counts – the actual white blood cell count needed to protect me against bacterial infections, the Platelet counts – the cells needed to protect me from bleeding, and lastly my HCT – the red cell count needed to circulate enough oxygen around my system so I am not too short of breath. I reported some scoreboard results yesterday and here is today’s full report:

ANC – today was 180, a marked climb from 30 the previous day and zero two days prior.

Platelets – today’s number was 135,000, well within a protected range and double the 64,000 from yesterday.

Hct – 26 – This one is still dropping a bit and if it sinks one more number to 25, that is when a transfusion would be indicated.

My team was all smiles today as the new white cells and platelets have begun to ‘engraft” and grow. Fingers crossed the red cells will follow soon.

One new small problem is given my runny nose and cough, respiratory viral testing came up positive for Rhinovirus – yes the common cold. In the big scheme of things not so bad although I am now prohibited from leaving my room and walking the halls as a protection to the other dozens of immunocompromised patients here.

Lastly, I appreciate the comments on my new hairdo, or lack of one. What I am finding is how cold my head is now. I was not a hirtuis guy and I guess any hair covering is better than none. As i write this now, I reflect back on my Nana, who told me as my hair was thinning, that grass does not grow on a busy street.

Thanks again for all the support.

Larry and Sharon