Today we had our weekly meeting with our attending physician. I asked her how I was doing and she said as expected – meaning fully exhausted. AIn’t that the truth. She explained to us that the job of rebuilding an immune system via transplant has my body’s metabolic furnace running at a very level. As if I was was an ultra marathon runner putting in hundreds of training miles daily.

To that point, it was explained my calorie needs are high, and yes I have lost weight in the last month when chemo and then hospitalization began. Sharon is a great cook although I just don’t have the appetite. High protein drinks such as Ensure are suggested. My problem is that I have been through that route before and they are just so unappealing to me, Part of my weight loss is muscle deconditioning and I know that will come back over time.

Given I had lab tests today I can report on my scoreboard which continues to be good. As I am trying to walk more I will also include my walking mileage and steps. Yes, I did add a tenth of a mile today.

Scoreboard is as follows: HCT: 36, Platelets: 110,000, Total WBC: 4,830, Total ANC: 1,880, Miles walked: 2.12, Steps taken: 7,243

Big birthday for America tomorrow. Please enjoy safely.

Larry and Sharon