Merry Christmas to Me!

Dang it!

I was hoping today was my last appointment with the hematologist. I hate going to The Cancer Center. Was there no other name available? Was A-Town Oncology Associates already taken? The Cancer Center seems like you're doomed. Last Stop would have been almost as welcoming.

I was originally sent there last January because my blood tests alarmed my OB/GYN, and she thought I might have leukemia. I got to spend the Christmas season wondering if it were true until I could get into the specialist. Further tests showed that I had erythrocytosis which means I have too many red blood cells. My hemoglobin levels were elevated. Erythrocytosis isn't a disease itself. It's usually brought on by tumors or another disease. Bone marrow is involved. I don't really "do" medical stuff, and it's boring anyway, but that gives you an idea of why I've been going there.

I've had SO much blood drawn this year, you'd think I would have lost some weight, but NO! Anyway, the story is we did months of blood work showing that my levels were elevated. There was no treatment to undergo. I was being observed for a while to determine what to do next. I changed absolutely nothing about my diet or lifestyle during this time. Candy bars and Dr. Pepper continued to be the mainstay of my diet. During this period of testing, my blood tests started coming back completely normal. So then I was observed for an even longer period of time to see if I would remain "normal." My hematologist said, "It's like your body healed itself!" Well, sure it did! Because I'm cool like that!

I went back today hoping to be dismissed from his care. We did even more lab work, and it all came back perfectly normal. You'd think he'd be convinced I don't need to return. Instead he said, "I want you to come back in six months and then a year or so after that. At this point I'm no longer trying to determine that you have erythrocytosis. I'm determining that you don't. "

My insurance company will be happy to know their dollars are going towards making sure a well woman is well.

I'm skeptical that my body healed itself. I'd be more inclined to believe prayers were answered since I can't even subtract without moving my fingers. I'm just glad that this Christmas is going to be a very Merry Christmas. No fears this year. No images of leukemia taking me away from my family before I'm ready. No anxiety over my child's open heart surgery. Just peace.