She's Drivin' Miss Daisy

Those of you driving around Duluth should stay alert for a new driver -- my Katrina has her permit and is now driving me around town! She is very alert and has the best posture I've ever seen behind the wheel. My mom gave her some driving lessons in the Arena parking lot last month; that's when she learned about the invisible brake on the passenger side floor board.

It is a real gift to be able to share this new chapter with Katrina. I can say with certainty that November is going to be a much better month than were September and October from a health perspective. I am so happy to report that the phlebotomies and HU meds are working. The hematocrit is down to 41 (where it should be) and I am feeling like my old self again. The platelets have creeped up a little high (to 499), but this is part of the balancing act that I'll be managing with polycythemia vera.

I've just started a new project for GSTAND -- we're looking for best practices across the state where local jurisdictions are working with nonprofits to implement the Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds. I look forward to learning about some good successes in reclaiming neighborhoods harmed by concentrations of foreclosures. Stay tuned!

Feeling better every day

Today was the fourth consecutive nap-free day -- yeayyy!

More good news: I'm down to one phlebotomy per week. We broke my record on Monday: 30 minutes to draw 1 pint.
My hematocrit is down to 52 (we're heading for 45), out of the danger zone.
Blood pressure back to good range; no more blood-shot eyes.

I started taking the chemo pills (HU) before bedtime and that seems to help me sleep at night (and therefore less drowsy during the day).

It's been two challenging months -- the symptoms, the tests, the diagnosis, and commencing treatment...
So much for which to be grateful: wonderfully supportive family and friends, attentive physicians and nurses, scientists who study stem cells, and better living through chemistry...

If you enjoy good health, please take a moment right now to breathe deeply and appreciate.
Keep the quality in your life... live, love and laugh!

It's official -- I do have a brain

Today was the only day this week without a medical appointment, but I did receive two bits of news.
First, Kaiser approved a referral to an MPD specialist at Emory University Hospital -- I'm very happy to be able to get the perspective of someone who works with a lot of patients with a myeloproliferative disorder.

The second news came in a phone call from my internist. The MRI & MRA done on my head and neck on Monday showed no clots (great news). But it does show white matter changes which could indicate demyelinating disease (multiple sclerosis). She referred me to a neurologist and I've got an appointment for December 2nd.

Hopefully we'll get some better insight to the headaches and blotchy vision that continues to disrupt my daily activities.

My blood pressure is under control and this provides great relief. EKG is normal and I'll continue to calibrate the blood pressure meds with my internist as the hematocrit improves with the phlebotomies and hydrea.

Tomorrow I'll be at Emory for a nuclear medicine test of the red blood cells.
Friday is phlebotomy day -- this will set me up for a great weekend!

Happy Halloween!