I'm laying on my sofa, comfortable, but a bit sickly-sweaty, pain well managed, but fearful of moving. I really only need to go and get a subscription for Cipro (antibiotic) filled and to pick up my washed and dried laundry, but I'm hesitant..

I'd had a couple of bouts of fever during the past week, but they remained well within my allowed 38.4 degrees for 3 hours. Still, they seemed a bit frequent for my liking. I really don't know what's causing them but they seem associated with my blood counts dropping and are probably related to my poor blood condition. Last night while simply visiting with a friend in my own apartment, my temperature rose to around 39.6 at it's peak. I tried all the tricks for bringing it down with cold packs and damp cloths but nothing worked. I even lay in a 34 degree bath for nearly an hour. This made me shake as if I was freezing and did temporarily lower the temperature, but not below 39.1. So I had to face up to it and check myself into hospital.

We must have arrived at the cancer agency just around midnight, and while I was told off for checking in there without calling first, it was still a much more pleasant experience than the general hospital would have been. The doctor was polite and thorough, and we got to wait around in the empty patient lounge on sofas good for dozing. The whole place was so quiet and peaceful - I almost think that contributes to a healing environment in itself. I had a full set of blood samples taken (I've since heard that results were negative for infection as expected) and was given a IV bag full of antibiotics. I was finally back in my own apartment around 4am. Today, I've been wary of doing anything that might precipitate a fever - so I'm still on the sofa.

The blood they took last night seemed to be consistent with my test on Thursday. My white blood cell count was increasing of it's own accord slowly to 1.9 - not great, but showing I have some active bone marrow. My hemoglobin was 92 which is a small drop since that transfusion and my platelets 12.4 which is pretty low. My lack of platelets makes it hard for me to seal cuts and wounds. So, for instance I developed impressive blood blisters after accidentally biting my tongue and inside cheek last week, but they've been absorbed now. Stranger, are the trails of broken blood vessels where I've accidentally scratched myself. I really notice them on my legs, but generally they don't cause me problems other than aesthetic. So far I have escaped the more problematic bleeding problems the doctors continually quiz me about.

The new pain medication levels are working well, though part of it in undoubtedly my improved attitude to taking them when they are needed. So, I'm a bit stunned, but not in pain - not so bad really.

http://viewcourt.vcn.bc.ca/peter