The "Gifts That Keep On Giving" Keep on Giving

Over the past year or so, my white blood cell count has hovered around the lowest level possible before it needs to be treated.  My GP referred me to one of Emory's best hematologists, who specializes in symptoms related to chemotherapy.  His opinion is that my immune system has been compromised due to the...chemo 8 years ago, and the loss of marrow from bones removed during the two surgeries.  So, if he's right, I'll stay at risk for more things like the mystery infection I had in March.

Over the past few months, I've had increased problems with swallowing food.  I have a stricture in my esophagus, caused by...radiation treatments 8 years ago.  It reduces the elasticity of my esophagus, which limits the size of food particles I can swallow. My range of selection has not decreased, but what I can eat has become even more of a struggle--to the point that I just get tired from the effort at many meals, quit trying, and default to a Boost or yogurt to get the calories I need.  Ice cream with brownies, and Key Lime pie also do that same trick.

So, I have scheduled a Barium swallow test on Monday, with the expectation that I'll need another esophageal dilation--my fourth or fifth, I think.  That's IF they will let me have one more.  There is a limit to the number of these that one's esophagus can recover from, so there is a chance they won't be able to do it again on me.

We'll know more after the appointment on Monday, so stay tuned.

Mike