The Real Deal

While some of us were out getting awesome Black Friday deals, Jenny was getting her own kind of Black Friday deal, in the form of great news from Dr. Wonderful.

Apparently, during today’s visit, Jenny learned that, although she is only on day 18 of treatment, her body (and blood) is acting like day 22. This is GREAT news!

When I asked for a translation of what that meant, Jenny explained, “My blood counts are showing that progress. My white blood cells are going up and the red blood cells are stable. That means that they are not going up, but at least they are not falling as they have been for the last few weeks. However, they’re still pretty low.”

The best part of this news, is that now there is a slight chance that she can come home this weekend, or maybe Monday. Jenny tells me that the oncologist that is on call this weekend is very (almost too) conservative, so it wouldn’t surprise her if she didn’t get the go ahead to go home from him.

To be able to be cleared to go home, Jenny has to

1) Be weaned off of all of her IV antibiotics. She has been weaned off of one now, but isn’t sure how many more she is still on.

2) Be weaned off of the steroids.

3) Finish off her chemo… maybe. She had chemo today and will have one more round before she’s done, but the doctor thinks she may be able to do it outpatient.

4) Learn how to tie a mean headscarf. Ok, just kidding. But, if you do know someone that has headscarf tying skills, she would totally love to be put in touch with them.

There are so many things that excite Jenny about the prospect of coming home. “I can’t wait for fresh air! I can’t wait to eat a tomato or fruit, or carrot sticks or sleep in my own bed.” She probably would have continued on, but then made sure to point out that she’s trying not to get her hopes up too high, she’s counting on Monday-ish, but does not want to jump the gun and come home before her body can handle it.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I asked Jenny to give me a list of things that she is thankful for. She had so many that I stopped her after the first 10.

So many I am thankful for:

1) SO many people that call and say they think of me all the time.

2) People praying for me

3) People who send emails and texts…. All the people that send me stuff!

4) A girl detective/spy school book that was sent to her from a friend

5) The book of Sudoku puzzles that Sheila gave me

6) Ginger Ale – a rediscovered love

7) Michelle Loosli’s roasted cauliflower

8) People that bring me food

9) So thankful for the quilts – they brighten my room

10) Kind, kind nurses