Day +26, Sunday

Rounds were interesting today. Dr Owie, head doc in rotation on 3NE right now, and Dr. Dan from my GATA2 Team were briefing me on the plan for today, when Andy hissed. Very loudly.

Monster (appropriately named, and one of our cats) had chased another cat up the stairs. And Andy, trying to be ever so stealthy, thought he had muted himself on the laptop. And then he spoke the language of cat, and hissed at Monster. Dr. Owie paused mid-sentence. Dr. Dan looked surprised. And collectively, the three of us looked at my phone, to where Andy was.

There was a pause, and silence where no-one spoke. But then Dr. Owie cleared his throat and continued as though nothing had happened, as though he had not heard a grown man hissing via Zoom.

Thank you 2020.

Later we laughed.

This is where I’m at today. Since I’m no longer getting the GCSF (hormone that stimulates bone marrow to produce blood cells), my counts have been declining. I’ve been told this is normal, all part of the process. That being said, I don’t like seeing my counts drop; I don’t think anyone would. My cells have engrafted, that much we know. And I’m producing cells that I’ve never had before – monocytes and my Absolute Lymphocyte Count is very slowly rising every day. But as a naturally anxious person, I would feel a lot better if my numbers were higher.

But I’m working on that trust thing. My Team is confident and they’ve been here with 71 other patients. Since this is all new to me, well, it’s all new to me. So I’m working on leaning into that trust, and believing that all will be well. I’ll let the professionals handle the medical stuff, and I’ll continue to do the things I need to do, in order to make myself feel as good as possible.

Like laundry. And folded laundry (both happened yesterday). And walks around the hospital, accompanied by Bart. And reading. And FT/Zoom dates with family/friends (it was great to see you Robbie!) And when I really want to be distracted, BRAVO or Netflix. Today I enjoyed a few episodes of The Crown and The Great British Baking Show.

I love this show. It makes me want to bake. Perhaps when I’m out of the hospital, I’ll have a go at Gingerbread and Royal Icing. Or scones….or bread. As long as I don’t have a soggy bottom (and that is not a reference to my recent GI issues…it’s what Paul, above, calls things that are under-baked).

Otherwise, it was quiet today. Charlotte was again my nurse, and I really enjoy our conversations. And she’s super patient with Bart, who continues to sing the song of his people and beep at the most random of times. Sometimes it’s because there are air bubbles in the line, other times because medication just needs to be changed out. Bart is very needy, but he’s looking out for my own good. While I appreciate him in my life, I’m looking forward to the day where he’s no longer needed, no offense Bart.

Overall, it was a good weekend, where my body cooperated. I didn’t struggle with a lot of pain, and my GI distress was largely kept in check. Here’s to a new week, filled with promise, possibility, and gratitude, and perhaps even a release from the hospital. But just as important, to not hissing at cats when you’re live on zoom. Yes, that too.