Things I can and cannot do

Today's lab report: my white blood cell and absolute neutrophil counts are still too low. (Darn!) I am very vulnerable to infection and illness, and I have to take neutropenic precautions. That's bad.

But everything else looks good enough for me to have my Avastin infusion tomorrow. That's good!

So I CAN:
- continue my chemotherapy schedule uninterrupted for now;
- - use this as an excuse to make Prince Jared clean the bathrooms, change our daughter's diapers, and do the laundry;
- go in with my son for our karate belt test on Friday (I guess with a mask on), since I still have platelets and red blood cells; and
- feel less guilty about having a "family only" party for my daughter's birthday this weekend, instead of filling our house with two-year-old's.

But I CANNOT:
- spend a lot of time in public places (should avoid it as much as possible);
- eat raw fruits and veggies or be around flowers and plants (anything grown in dirt)
- be around recently vaccinated or sick people (I break this rule to be near my kids);
- let too much time lapse between hand-washings;
- or do anything else that increases my risk of germs.

I have visions of myself walking around like Michael Jackson with gloves and a mask on, but I guess good nutrition, vitamins, liquids, and rest are a more practical approach.

But hey - at least I CAN proceed with my treatment for now, and I have two whole weeks to try and bounce back before my next infusion.