Platelets are not quite 100 but good enough to move forward

01/26/09 – Today I had a check up at the Cancer Center to see if I am ready to begin my next and hopefully last chemo therapy treatment. My platelets came back at 97. I initially was worried that I would again be delayed. To my surprise my doctors viewed the 97 count as being close enough. Based on this I received my outpatient treatment and will be checking into the hospital tomorrow. I am tentatively scheduled to be released from the hospital on Saturday, January 31st.

As weird as it might sound I am happy to start this treatment because it represents what I view the beginning of the end of my chemo. I also approach this treatment with some hesitation. I know I need to keep positive but I do have some fear over another possible infection. I have had infections with all but one of my treatments. I have been in the hospital 5 times for chemo therapy but I have also been in the hospital another 6 times with infections. The law of averages tells me that another infection may be in my future. I am not sure how many more infections I will be able to handle. I know that I must have faith and simply put myself in God’s hands and hope and pray for the best outcome. After all, how great would it be to complete my treatments without any infections?


My journey with Mantle Cell sometimes makes me think of the great and popular poem by Mary Stevenson called "Footprints in the Sand". It is my pleasure to share it with you.

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,
"The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you."

More to come...


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