low white blood cells...so how?

Dad couldn't have his 3rd dose of chemotherapy yesterday because his blood test showed that his white blood cell count is low. I vaguely remember that when our white blood cell(wbc) number is high, it means we're having some form of infection and the body is producing more wbc to fight the infection. But what happens when it's low?

As far as I understand fm what I've read, the chemo drug targets all fast-growing cells in our body, which includes our skin cells, blood cells and hair cells. That is why patients going thru chemo experience hairloss, skin irritation and drop in their blood cell counts. So I guess this must be the reason why doc cancelled Dad's chemo ytd to prevent the drug fm reducing the wbc further. But how to help the body increase the no of wbc to its optimum level?

Anyway, Dad's been quite 'healthy' otherwise. His appetite is soooooooooo good that he's eating 4-5 meals a day. He's been eating so much till he start asking me, "Is this normal? Why do I keep getting hungry so easily?" haha... Told him that I'm happier seeing him eat than when he cant eat. He cant eat, I cant sleep! Now he's gone out to town with Mum, on their own! First time that they've gone out on their own without me (or any of my siblings) accompanying, since his hospitalisation in May. I'm confident he knows his body well, and he knows he can go about independently. Dad, jia you!

Now we'll just wait for next Tue for his CT scan. Then the doc will review it with us on 21 Oct. Hopefully this CT scan will show further improvement and he can be off chemo or be switched to a reduced frequency. Pray.

解脫...

此时,他应该已经完成了他PSLE的最后一科考试。这意味着他过去一年所有压力和辛勤的结束, 也为他6年的小学教育画上句号。孩子,你辛苦了!

孩子，我知道这一年非常艰苦，你也非常努力用功，我们为你感到非常骄傲。不管结果如何，我们都会继续支持你的。

We love you!

jia you my son!

my dearest son working 'hard' on some mock exam papers. Today the PSLE has started with the English paper. He is slightly above average in this subject, mainly bcos his written English is quite disorganised. Nonetheless, I've seen significant improvement and he has also shown signs of wanting to do better.

It's been a stressful year for him, I know. I've been reminding myself repeatedly to be patient and calm with him. But seeing how nonchalant he is sometimes, makes my blood pressure shoot up! I'm glad he's been quite cooperative in the last 2-3 weeks. I'm hoping that he'll remain focussed and finish off the rest of the papers smoothly.

Son, I've confidence in you and I know you'll make it if you put yr heart to it. And I'm waiting to see that you really put yr heart to what you're doing. Prove it to yourself, that you can if you want to. We're behind you all the way. We love you!

are all old pple like that?

jus overheard my parent's mini 'squabbling' again. Dad woke up fm his nap at the sofa. Saw Mum's quilting fabrics at the other side of the sofa, and casually asked, "what are the fabrics doing there?" Mum got so sensitive and started raising her voice!? "I was just arranging them in order, what has it got to do with you? Some fabric on the sofa, got in yr way meh? Your eyes cant even bear a tiny little dirt ah!" ???!!! Dad went silent....

I'm wondering, are all old folks like that? or is it my mum? her temper seems to be getting worse these days. And the most upsetting thing is, she's taking it out on Dad. Her poor hearing does not help either. Sometimes Dad tries to tell her something, she'll 'mis-hear' it and start arguing with him. Then when she's unhappy with anything that we (the children) do, she 'dare' not tell us off, but grumble to my Dad instead. Just feel so unfair for Dad. There he is, cant bear to see her worry and decided not to let her know the truth about his illness, then has to take all these nonsense fm her. sigh...it's so unfair.

anyway, there's just no way to change my Mum. She's been so stubborn since the day I understand things. I've grown up wondering why she's not like other mothers. I've tried explaining and talking sense to her, with her always 'agreeing' to my explanations. But in the end, she still stick to her own viewpoint. I'm beginning to give up explaining things to her, or showing her more objective views. I thot I'm stubborn, but she's many times more than me. sigh...

but then again, if it's someone outside of the family that tells her something, she'll believe it 101%!? funny hor? but that's just my Mum lor.

Stress and retail therapy....

...am very stressed, for obvious reason. Tomorrow's THE DAY! am keeping my fingers and toes all crossed and hope that he'll keep his focus and attempt his paper properly. There's nothing I can do anymore except giving him my mental support. All the best to him.

...being stressed is the best excuse to SHOP! hee...cant go out much, so how? Online shopping's the answer!! spent nearly $100 already on online shopping. Gonna stop clicking the pages or the bills gonna shoot up!!!

6 more days to my freedom...............

...

it's only 23 more days to the actual PSLE....I'm cold-sweating!! but how come the actual candidate in my house is still so happy-go-lucky leh?? I wonder how long more will he be 'lucky'? Has been trying to 'wake' him since last year, but till now, he's still so relaxed. What else can I do????

sigh...my hands are cold, my feet are cold, my heart is palpitating....arrrgggghhhhhhhhhh.........

luckily I'll hv a year's break before I face this same ordeal again in 2010. I need to 滋润进补 and nourish myself before the next battle. Hopefully the second time round will be easier. sigh...

no mood....

Gosh! Jus realised I haven't blogged for more than a month! no specific reason. Jus no mood. No mood to think, no mood to write, no mood to do anything. anyway, time flies. A month jus passed like that. but actually a lot of things have happened over the month. Jus no mood to record them down. maybe later.....yawn....