Every time I visit the hospital, whether it’s for a
transfusion or a chemo-cocktail, I usually get a blood test as well – blood
counts reveal a lot about how well my body is reacting to the treatment. They also
determine whether I need a transfusion or if I’m ready for the next stage.
Well, last week my oncologist received some interesting news
from my blood counts.
As it is the holidays, my family loves to celebrate
in the form of dinner parties. These can sometimes get a little crazy, like most
dinner parties do. Being of Italian descent, it’s quite normal with these
occasions for the kids to enjoy a glass or two of wine with the usual
over-satisfying meal. However, it is not quite
normal to be going for routine blood tests, like I did the next morning.
For the first time my oncologist had discovered some odd
liver functions from my blood counts ...
Even after reassuring her that I did not in fact go on a
bender that week, my nurses and physicians in the oncology unit still continue
to make fun of me.
God knows how fast gossip spreads at hospitals, it’s worse
than high schools. Of course, they’re just relieved that this was a result of
wine as opposed to some bodily medical reaction ... All in all, it’s going to
be a while before I indulge again at one of our crazy family dinner parties.
On a more serious note, I’ve been drug free for almost two
weeks now as I head into the next phase: (Interim-Maintenance). At this rate, I
am set to finish around mid-May yay!
It’s exciting to see
the finish line getting closer, but having to say goodbye to the staff at Childrens will be difficult. They
continue to build, not just professional, but personal connections with their
patients. Oddly enough, it’s what has made me feel so comfortable spending most
of my days there. Even after I’ve moved on, I do intend to maintain my
relationship with the staff and the hospital whether it’s through volunteer or
just friendly visits J.
Hoping this liver function ordeal doesn’t sever any
relationships or tarnish my reputation at the hospital..
Breeding optimism thanks to the amazing and personable staff
at Children’s
- - Serena Bonneville
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