November 25, 2009 10:35 PM

Starting down the backstretch!

Another corner has been turned! Everything went perfectly at the doctor's office this morning. Most importantly, my counts are rising as they should. I did ask about the one count that was in the 500 range and was an indication as to how my immune system was doing. It turns out that the normal value is about 1000 but that my count was in the low normal range. Considering that most patients at this stage have that count value much less - I am doing extremely well.

This fact is a two-edged sword for me. Obviously, I want to do as well as I can from a physical standpoint. But, it does mean that within the next few months I will most likely have to stare directly into the eyes of that demon called "work". However, as we all know, the office that I left is no longer there anymore, so "work" takes on a whole new meaning for me. Where is it? What is it? Who is it?

Because my immune count is still low, the doctor said that I still must avoid continual exposure to crowds - especially this year with the H1N1 flu virus being so rampant. However, if it were possible for me to telecommute to work everyday, then that would be acceptable in his eyes. But, two things prevent that. My company completely cut off all access to any of it's internal web sites once I went on long term disability and, secondly, I did not have a job that would allow me to operate from home eight hours a day for weeks on end.

Lastly, he stated that, come February, I will start my vaccination cycle and he recommends that I get the flu shot as well at that point.

So, it's another great day giving me so much to be thankful for tomorrow.

I want to wish each of you a Thanksgiving that is the day that you want it to be - celebrated with the people with whom you most wish to share all your blessings. I know that it can be hard in these economic times to look at life's positives but for each of us there are many. Focus on those because they help to define, nurture, and give meaning to our lives.

Thanksgiving gives us pause to step back and to really look at ourselves and our lives and, hopefully, to put everything in proper perspective. Realizing our blessings helps to propel us into and through all our tomorrows because they show us why life is truly worth living.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving everyone...

Bob