Meet Buster: My Big, Fat Tumor

Dr. Low was in to see me just a few minutes ago and asked how I’m doing. I told him I’m feeling better today than since I began chemotherapy, and it’s true. Besides some diarrhea and nausea yesterday I’ve been feeling progressively better this week, in fact.

I had expected to be able to leave the hospital today. After all, my white blood cell count is now up so I’m no longer neutropenic. But, Dr. Low told me my hemoglobin level is now low, so I’ll be needing a blood transfusion.

This will be my second transfusion, and it’s an odd thing to have someone else’s blood piped into you. I’m O-, so while my blood can be given to anyone of any other type, I can only receive blood from people of the same type. Most of my family is also O-, so they’re able to donate blood through one of the big blood banks on my behalf and it will keep the karmic circle in check.

The transfusion will probably begin this afternoon. If I remember right it takes at least 4-6 hours for two units of blood to be cycled into me. I’ll be given a few drugs in advance to minimize the risks of my body rejecting the blood or some other negative reaction, including some Benadryl. Once it’s done, I’ll be monitored throughout the night and if no troubles I’m sure I’ll be out of the hospital by tomorrow afternoon.

I want to send out a great thanks to all of you, my family and friends, who’ve been following along with my progress through the blog, and for your wonderful showing of support and prayers. I love and appreciate you all, and look forward to catching up with some of you in person or by phone soon for the first time in a long time. My phone number appears to people who have logged in to this website (near top right of page). Feel free to call if you actually know me!

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