A Few More Steps in the Right Direction

Jim's first week at work went well. He works only half days now for the month of March which seems to be about right for him. He is tired by the end of the day. Last Friday, when he saw his doctor, he found that most of his blood counts are just below the low end of the normal range. Here's the data: Jim's platelets - 149,000; Normal range is 150,000 to 450,000. They were as low as 3,000 after chemotherapy when spontaneous bruising occurred. Jim's hemoglobin: 9.9; Normal range for men is 14 to 17. Jim's white blood count: 4.4; Normal range is 4.5 to 11. The hemoglobin has been the slowest to rise which is why Jim tends to tire out easily.

At the beginning of each new year, instead of coming up with resolutions that I won't keep, I choose one little word that I want to focus on for the year. This year, I chose the word, "renew." In light of Jim's fight with leukemia, we know things will never be the same normal we had before his diagnosis. During his treatment, we had a "new normal". But this year, we are looking forward to a "new beginning". Here are some of examples of the "new beginning" we are starting to see:

Last Friday, Jim's PIC line was removed. This is the line that has been in for months at a time through which he receives medication, chemotherapy and from which the nurses draw blood. Each day, it was my job to tape plastic over it before Jim could shower. Now he is free of all that!

Another sign of a new beginning is that Jim is presently not on any medication. None! Remember this picture?

This is how my bathroom counter looks now.

Obviously, we are thankful for all the medication that Jim was able to take to treat this illness and also to help him feel more comfortable from the nasty side effects of chemotherapy. But, it is refreshing to have our bathroom clear of all those medications. A new beginning.

The other news we'd like to share with you is that Jim will be undergoing a bone marrow biopsy which is scheduled for this Thursday, March 12 at 2:00. This is the test that will determine is there is any leukemia present in Jim's bone marrow. If not, he will be declared in remission.

We are grateful for all of you who have followed us on this journey and have helped to meet our needs and lifted us up in prayer. Again, I would ask for your prayers as Jim undergoes this biopsy procedure on Thursday. He has had bone marrow biopsies three times before and tells me they are painful even though anesthesia is given. Jim has been very anxious each time he has undergone this procedure. Please pray that Jim would experience a calm and God's peace that passes all understanding as he faces this procedure. Our God is good and we are careful to give Him the praise.

It sometimes takes up to a week before the results of the biopsy are known- always a long week for us. We'll let you know as soon as we know. Thanks again for all your prayers.