D+31 — "Our Most Boring Patient"

My mom and I drive up for my regular Monday appointment. Mom takes the lead in the parking spot contest, finding a space two spots from the exit we take to reach the clinic. And one of those spots is reserved for the handicapped, so it's going to be hard to do bettter.

On the elevator ride up to the appointment, two young men get on, wearing doctor's jackets. I hesitate to say they are doctors, because they appear, to my mom and me, to be in high school. That makes me feel old.

I get my blood drawn at Phlebotomy, as it should be. I get my dressing and caps changed at Apheresis. The fellow declares me their "most boring patient." Fantastic!

The doctor tells me I'm doing great — all the counts are reasonable. Why am I doing so well? At least in part, because I was admitted in good shape, and because I'm "so young." (Thank you, Doctor! I needed that.)

We won't know the bone marrow results until tomorrow (hoping for lots of blood cells), later in the week (hoping for entirely Mara's cells), and later next week (hoping for no signs of leukemia). But the doctor thinks it likely there will be good numbers all around.

To go with the probable good news, I get some certain good news:

• I don't need to go back for two weeks.
• I can drink alcohol, in moderation. (Since I get light-headed on a full glass of beer, this will not be a hardship.)

I'll drink to that!