4 weeks post-Incivek

..and one week post-transfusion, my blood was patchy. A lot of the changes can be partially attributed to the transfusion, of course. Bad: white blood cells down, at their lowest since April; liver enzymes are up--both by about 15 points. Neutrophils are down. Most of that is probably a reaction to my vampirism, so will pass. Better news: H+H and RBCs both up--partially, but not entirely due to transfusion. They seem to be improving, and even though now that the transfusion had worn off I am feeling a bit crappy, it is not as bad as it was two weeks ago. Looks like I am out of the dangerous zone at least.

The most positive and surprising in a good way result is my platelet levels: they are up to 98, up 30 points in 4 weeks, And they have nothing to do with any new blood: I only got RBCs. So that is good and an indication that as Incivek is leaving my body, my bone marrow function is returning closer to normal.

And I feel better in general: I can do 3 or 4 Tigger-style bounces before becoming exhausted, when two weeks ago I could not do any!

Of course, the effects of other meds are still nasty. For two-three hours after eating my ribavirin I still feel like being thrust head first into a shit-hole while being belaboured about the ribs by sticks in slo-mo. Although, whereas in the past it was baseball bats, now they are rubber-encased metal clubs: hurts a bit less and leaves less memories, at least. And interferon is increasing in nastiness each week. Only 7 of those left, however! Getting there!

I don't know about that awesome-looking rum, but several ciders will be in order when I am done, Again, I will still be under observation for 6 more months, so will not be able to debauch until then at least...but I suggest that at the end of it, everyone should meet me in London for a nice pub-crawl.