February 11, 2006
The nurse responded to the extremely low white blood count with some urgency – resume Neupogin shots today, she said, and continue across the weekend. Since these shots must be administered in places that do not contain muscle, another nurse advised that this is not a good time in life to be “buff”. For the very first time, I have a gratitude for those upper arm undersides that flop about a bit because they are ideal places to accept these medicines.
One of the aspects of my present life is the unreality of total vulnurability to infections, which in turn, I am told, can be extremely serious threats to my well-being. Every surface, every sneeze, every child is potentially a bearer of unseen germs filled with enmity toward this present body, and I must be armed with great caution and disinfectants. No, no! to church, store, library, theatre, almost any place where two or three are gathered together. “How long?” I ask, “A while. . .until your blood is better” I am told.
Winter came back to Nebraska today, with snow and cold and gray skies. Charles is on a short tour in Michigan presenting his music with a college choir and brass choir. He reports that the spaces and organs are marvelous, and a bit of me sits there in a pew saying “Bravo!” in response to his work which is unfailingly wonderful. Meanwhile I am in Lincoln in the home of friends being cosseted outrageously.