Bloodaversary

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!

I have been a lazy blogger lately but my blood has been on my mind a lot this week since it was the last week of May 2010 that this mess all started. I am happy to report that a year later, my condition is much more stable and I have a lot to be hopeful about.

When I went into the hospital on May 25th, 2010, my numbers were:

White: 2.0 (ANC 500)

Hematocrit: 15

Platelets: 9

At my appointment on May 27, 2011, my numbers were:

White: 3.1 (ANC 2100)

Hematocrit: 35.1

Platelets: 91

All of my stats have been basically stable or climbing as I continue to go down on the dosage of my medicine, and still plan to be off completely by the end of the year. Last Memorial Day weekend, I spent Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the outpatient clinic of the Hematology unit at Beth Israel after 3 days of inpatient treatment. This Memorial Day weekend, I spent Friday signing a lease for an apartment with Kevin, Saturday at a BBQ with friends, family and my unreasonably adorable nephew, and Sunday on a 40 mile bike ride with Kevin. Last summer Dr. Joyce told me "your white cells are crap, your red cells are crap, you're a bruised mess, but next summer won't be like this." I'm so relieved that at this point it looks like she was right!

I feel incredibly lucky to be where I am today and to have the support of so many friends and family over the past year. I spent some time recently going through all of the cards, emails, facebook messages, etc. that I have received since first getting sick, and it was really moving to be reminded of all the wonderful people in my life.

That is about as flowery and sentimental as I feel like getting about my blood right now, but thank you to everyone who has helped make this year such a great one despite unfortunate circumstances. I'm looking forward to a fun, active summer with minimal days spent in doctors offices, and hopefully not much time for blogging :)