This week's treatment schedule didn't go exactly as planned.   I showed up to my outpatient appointment on Tuesday to receive the "E" portion of ICE chemo (Etoposide) and my counts were low...go figure.  We're used to my white blood count being low, but this time my red blood and platelet counts were also low.  Thank goodness for the neulasta shot because all of my counts probably would have been much lower otherwise. 

We figured being that we already had the hospital appointment all booked out that Dr. Londer would let me sneak on by and get treatment anyway.  Wrong.  He checked with the 2 pharmacists that were on hand and they all agreed that it'd be safer to wait another week, especially since my platelet count was low.  If I were to get a cut, fall down, or any other activity that could cause me to bleed, it could be a little more difficult to stop.  I've never been known to be very graceful, but I have been known to trip up the stairs and talented enough to trip myself so maybe it's better this way.   

I try to maintain this thing called a life, but it gets difficult when treatments get pushed out.  The way things are going to fall now, tuesday's outpatient appointment will land on Josh's birthday (4/24), and then I'll be admitted into the hospital on Wednesday, which is also my parents wedding anniversary.  I'll be at the hospital until Thursday, have the neulasta shot on Friday, and then Saturday is my nephew's birthday party, which I will more than likely be missing if I feel anything like I did the last round.  It's one of those situations where you just do what you've gotta do.  It just stinks. 

You know what else stinks?  My hair is starting to fall out again.  I was just starting to get used to this new hair of mine.  I'm able to actually brush it, put my fingers through it, and even style it into a mohawk for fun (see pictures below).  Unfortunately the last couple nights when I've put my fingers through my hair, I end up with hairs on my hands or shoulders, or both.  I've also noticed it on my pillow and bath towel after a shower.  I could tell something was going to happen because my scalp started getting extremely tender to the touch again.  I remember this feeling all too well.  As if losing my hair wasn't tough enough the first time...

I could be getting completely ahead of myself and my hair could just be thinning out.  I know what to expect now (unfortunately), and it won't be traumatic if it falls out necessarily - just disappointing.  I know it'll grow back just like it has been doing.  I was just hoping it'd be long enough by this summer for all the fun weddings we have on the calendar.  I guess only time will tell.  At least I've got a couple really great wigs I can continue to rock until my real hair decides to stick around for good.