April 5, 2006
Spring was beautiful today – more meadow larks were singing, and the frog’s chorus coming from the wetland down by the huge cottonwood tree rang out over the pasture and into the woods. I had gone in early for the blood draw, and since last week’s reading had shown improvement, and I felt better than I had in the past, I was sure that this draw would signal the continuation of the beginning of a rally. This was not to be. All the counts went down, white blood cells, neutrophils, hemoglobin count, and platelets. By the time I got home I was crying, and I took Alphie for a walk across the bridge and pasture up into the woods. Instead of running off to check out scents as usual, Alphie walked very quietly right beside me listening to me as I asked, “Why do I cry. . . I am in no pain, this day is so fine, why do I cry?” By the time I finished the 23rd psalm
I had come to the west edge of the woods where we watched two hawks sailing overhead and I was calm again. I believe that the dog’s changed behavior in response to my emotions must be why these creatures are so loved. The oncologist called later in the afternoon to give the instructions that I am to have three additional days of Neupogen injections and another blood draw next Monday.
Yet, I feel better. I walk a good deal, and I have had energy to do the cooking, conduct the cooking lessons, and do some things around the house. Charles had his first experience with yeast bread dough in the making of a very credible pizza. I think we were both a bit surprised that the dough seemed to leap up onto his fingers in a sticky mess as soon as he began to handle it, but we will continue to practice until he masters the technique.