One week back in the routine

Here I am just over a week after my first "Maintenance" chemo treatment.

A few interesting (to me) things of note.

My pattern of energy is the same as the full chemo regime. Since steroids are part of the treatment, I have good energy Tuesday evening and all day Wednesday. In fact, I was able to go to a full day at a regional bridge tournament in Brandon.

Thursday and Friday are lower energy and appetite days and then things return to normal on the weekend.

The interesting thing is that while my blood numbers were decent and even good in most cases last week, they were really disappointing yesterday. I felt good. I had energy. And yet, my white blood cell count was very low. My platelet count dropped dramatically and yet I have not been developing bruises like I usually do with lower platelets. Further, my extracted tooth wound has healed nicely.

And so here I am, feeling good and raring to go.

I read an interesting article this week about the value of fitness as it relates to colon cancer. (Not having a fit, but actual fitness!) The article claimed that the more fit a person is, the less likely they are to get colon cancer and for those that get colon cancer, they have an 89% lower risk of dying from the disease. And that is why I play tennis virtually every day.

The research manager continues not only with her research, but also with her vigilance in keeping me on the straight and narrow. She told me this evening that I needed a good nutritious dinner. She was working at her computer and I walked into her office with a single small piece of broccoli on a plate. She exclaimed "Is that what you're having for dinner?" I couldn't help but breaking out laughing. I think she had realized that I was kidding her, but it was still fun.

Every week, it seems that publication of the book gets further away. It looks like late July will be the date that it will start to be distributed. I did get the cover design today and there are several changes to be made to it, but it is looking good. I get excited seeing it develop, albeit slowly.