My oncologist the comedian

I just had a visit with my oncologist. (Geez, I never thought I’d have the words “I” and “oncologist” in the same sentence!)

As my Score Card shows, my white blood cell count (WBC) has steadily climbed and is now at 54.6 (normal is 4 – 11). He doesn’t see a reason to treat yet. He says treatment is not usually considered until the numbers hit 400,000 to 500,000. (My 54.6 represents 54,600.)*

The doc told me that treatment can start earlier if I’m having problems with fatigue or other symptoms. He also reminded me that chemotherapy treatments are not a cure. They simply attempt to lower the WBC and relieve symptoms.

Yeh, like I really wanted to be reminded.

The really fun news is he wants me to have a bone marrow biopsy next year – oh joy. I’ve heard those are a bit painful. When I asked him, he wryly replied, “well, they’re really no problem for the doctor – just the patient.” (Just my luck, a comedian for a doctor.)

They can anesthetize the flesh, but not the bone. I wonder which of the 206 he’ll be drilling into.

So, anyway, that’s the latest. As I see it, I’m still walkin’, talkin’, smiling’ and above ground.

All is good.