Ups and Downs

So, another week in the books and mine has been up and down.

Ups?

1. Monday's lab results showed  my kidney and pancreas are pretty much functioning optimally:

• GFR of 80
• Amylase 27
• Lypase 81

2. On Wednesday, we had a snow day, which means sleeping in!

3. We(kids and I) totally survived our Weds snow day "adventure!" My son had an ophthalmology appointment that we couldn't afford to miss that was 2 hours away in Maryland.  The three of us packed up supplies for an evening away in case the snow didn't let us return.  The snow was rough to start, but turned to simply gray rain for the last half of our trip. Kind of a let-down for my daughter, who was excited about watching DVD's, eating out and spending a night away, but I was glad to make it home safely from our "adventure."

Downs?

1. My most recent(Monday's) lab results are not all good:

• WBC count dropped to 3.3
• Hemoglobin down to 8.3
• Hematocrit down to 25.3

These are not the worst numbers ever, but the were taken Monday when I thought I felt fine and they indicate a downward trend from the previous week. I feel considerably worse now and can't wait for thus coming Monday's results to come back, and hopefully better. It's still unpredictable how my body reacts to immunosuppressants and the end results on my lab work and the way I feel. I am once again aware of the ever-present nagging concern of dropping numbers and their effects on real life. 

2. Pretty sure I've got the flu.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday have been rough. 

Congested, relentless cough, headache, body aches, low grade fever, ugh.

I remember watching both kids go through this recently and it didn't look fun for them.  Its not for me either. I can't remember the last time I had the flu, and because of transplant, I couldn't take the flu shot this year.  My nurse's cautions about transplantee's pneumonia risks keep echoing in my head when I cough my deep, croupy cough.

I realize this situation is not disastrous, just another reminder for me that while I am on track for a longer, healthier life, there will be bumps in the road. I've got to take care of myself, be realistic and positive with my health and flexible in my expectations.

So, if you can, please keep your fingers crossed. I have more blood work to do on Monday, and then waiting for results to come in, probably Tuesday or Wednesday.  I'm hoping for improvement from my sagging numbers, while simultaneously trying to prepare workarounds in case they continue to drop.  Life is a balancing act I've come to accept...and there's lots of waiting.

And, according to Dr Seuss(who I often lean on for advice):

So be sure when you step, 

Step with care and great tact.

And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act.

And will you succeed?

Yes! You will, indeed

(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed)

Pretty good odds...