'Pleasant' day at the clinic

I made some red blood cells!

Woo hoo! Who knew this could feel like a big accomplishment?

On Friday my hematocrit was borderline for a transfusion, around 25, and Melissa said I'd probably need blood today. But I went up to 27 on my own. This still is not very high, but I feel pretty good and was glad not to get transfused, which for two bags of blood is usually at least three hours.

My platelets were 17, also good for me at this point, but I received two bags because they were donated for me and would have expired. White count was stable. (I'm not sure exactly what it was, because I forgot to get the printout and Melissa didn't tell me the exact number.)

It was crowded at the clinic today, and there were no chairs or beds in the infusion room. So I got transfused in a new unit called Shields Warren, which is kind of like flying first class. The chairs are further apart, it's nicely lit, and it's blessedly quiet. My nurse got me a warm blanket and asked if I wanted to take my shoes off. I bent down to do it but she took them off for me. Meanwhile another nurse from the infusion room had ordered lunch for me  – my typical egg salad sandwich and Sun Chips – and she waltzed in with them on a tray held high. It was all actually very pleasant, including the Benadryl snooze.

I was disappointed that I had lost a pound, especially since my appetite is back, nausea is gone and I'v been eating. I guess it's like reverse dieting. If you get hung up on each pound in either direction, you can drive yourself crazy. Well, I think I'll go eat a Klondike bar, the newest thing in our house. They're kind of small, often necessitating another trip to the freezer for a second helping. We have a crunch kind and an old-fashioned vanilla. I think I prefer the plain kind, but maybe I'll have one of each.