The Bike is History

It's official. My platelet count has dipped below 35 so I'm not allowed to use the stationary bike anymore. It seems the docs are worried I might fall off it and bruise myself to death. What a way to go. Low platelets means that my body can't stop itself from bleeding. Once I fall below 10 platelets, they'll infuse me with some. The bike was wildly uncomfortable anyway, but it was a way to get some exercise. Maybe I'll start marching in place.

I can still use my arm weights, but I can't drop them on my toe. All sharp objects have been removed. If I had any hair to shave, I'd not be allowed to shave it.

With the drop in platelets, there's a corresponding drop in white blood cells. I've only got a handful of those. This condition is called neutropenia, and it calls for all sorts of safety precautions. That's why I'm in this special room with filtered air. That's why I can't eat fresh foods such as salad or fruit. Everything has to be cooked until it lacks flavor. My appetite is shaky enough as is.

I feel pretty good today.I finished one book this morning and plan to start another one after lunch. The chemo fog has lifted sufficiently so that I can concentrate fairly well. I do drift off to sleep suddenly, which is a good thing. I wish I could laugh more, but amusing things are severely limited around here.

I want to personally thank the Yankees for winning so many games the past couple of weeks. I look forward to this weekend's match-up between the Bombers and the Sox. Of course, being in the heart of Red Sox Nation, I have to be careful not to alienate my caretakers. They might take away the TV set claiming it's suppressing my red cells.