One of the things Nancy and I have learned over the past month is that fighting Cancer has a lot to do with numbers.
Every time I visit the oncologist they draw blood and do a quick lab report checking all kinds of numbers. I would be deceiving you if I told you I understood all the numbers. Once the report is back the doctor(s) come in to review what they have found. The goal is for “everything to be within range”. They make changes to my treatment schedule, medications and general plan all based upon the numbers.
If my white blood cell count is low…I will be in for a shot to help boost that number. Another number comes in low and I am reminded to stay hydrated and am most likely in for a bag of saline to help get me back to where I should be. On it goes…
I have learned to have the doctors and nurses stop each time they come in and explain all those numbers. Their patience is amazing. They always stop and take the time to walk through everything like it was the first time and do not seem annoyed that I am struggling to understand what is “within the normal range” for all the tests that are run.
