Went in for post-chemo blood work yesterday — once again, the $10,000 Neulasta patch did its work and my white cell count is good. But the platelets were low and my red count was waaaaay low.

So it’s back to the GHS Cancer Center for a blood transfusion today (in the facility that mom and I refer to as the “bus station” since it’s filled with the city’s most colorful characters). Had to reschedule three meetings this afternoon, but I’m eager to get this done and start feeling a bit more energetic.

No other revelations from yesterday’s appointment with the PA. I’ve got my CT scan on Thursday, will see my regular oncologist next Tuesday and will meet with the radiation oncologist for the first time on Wednesday.

Hope to have a radiation plan after the Wednesday appointment, but as I’ve found throughout this process, the medical community has a completely different concept of time than I do…so maybe this first appointment is just a meet-and-greet and some more tests.

More to come…

Continuing our re-entry, mom and I took a day trip on Sunday to Columbia, SC. Had a lovely brunch at a cute little restaurant in West Columbia called Cafe Strudel, then spent several enjoyable hours at the South Carolina State Museum, a combination natural history, regional/cultural history, science and technology and art museum.

We spent our time exploring the regional/cultural history section (there is so much I don’t know about my new home state!) and I was particularly interested in the role of the textile industry in this area and how that economy shaped racial boundaries in the early part of the 20th century. Fascinating stuff and very good context for what is happening in the South these days.

Our big outing this weekend is the Harry Connick, Jr. concert on Sunday evening. Thanks to my new, red cell and platelet-rich blood, I’ll be dancing in the aisles with the rest of the audience. Can’t wait.