First visit with the hematologist / oncologist

I saw the hematologist / oncologist today for the first time. I really like her, and have complete confidence in her.

They drew blood as soon as I arrived. The white cell count is worse, but I'm no longer anemic.

Based on my lab work the doctor is confident that this really is leukemia, not a reaction to one of the medications I take. My primary care physician was actually relieved to hear that. That medication protects my eyes and lungs from self-destruction due to an auto-immune disorder.

As I anticipated, today's visit marked the beginning of more tests. In addition to the blood they drew today I have two tests scheduled next week. I'll see the doctor at the end of the following week to review the results and decide on a course of action.

Unless the tests reveal surprises, her recommendation at this time is "watchful waiting." I would have regular blood tests and office visits. We wouldn't start active treatment unless / until the blood tests get much worse, the lymph node involvement gets worse, or the symptoms become "troublesome" to me. I'm finding it inconvenient to need a nap every day, but chemo is pretty inconvenient, too.

The form of leukemia that I (probably) have, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, can be managed but not cured. People have lived with it for more than 30 years, however, so I'm not really worried. All in all, it was a very positive visit, and I'm feeling very optimistic.

I'm tired today

I'm tired today. And yesterday, and Tuesday. I can tell that my health is getting worse. The swollen lymph nodes are now like a string of pearls from my collarbone almost to my ear. The defective white cells were already 80% of my blood count a month ago; the good white cells are supposed to make up only 14% to 46%. I see the hematologist next Wednesday, but that may just mean the beginning of more tests, rather than actual treatment.

Joseph in Egypt and Independence Day

Joseph's brothers sold him into Egypt. They were jealous and resentful of him. Some of them hated him and sought his life; exile and slavery were a compromise. They thought they were saving his life; in reality they were saving their own.

The Lord provided a way that Joseph might be put in a position of saving the lives of his father and brothers and kin in the coming famine.

What does this have to do with Independence Day?

The British aristocracy saw the colonies throughout the world as (?how to express this.) Even their own citizens there were treated with abuse and disdain. They were to fork over the raw materials, pay exhorbitant taxes and prices for finished goods and thank England for the privilege.

The North American colonists said, "No!" In doing so they, with the Lord's help, put themselves in a position to save the lives and lifestyles of the English generations later, over and over and over.