[Chirley]

Hello,

The oddest thing has just happened with my blood tests. On Saturday I had a blood test done at work (I knew the scientist and it was a very unofficial test). The Hb was 75 (not unusual) WCC was 4.4 (incredible) neuts 2.2 (also incredible) and lymphs .6 (normal for me). I was in the process of getting a respiratory infection and had a low grade fever and sore throat. I was very happy to see that my WCC could respond to the infection.

I had a repeat blood test today through my specialist and they have just phoned with the results. Hb 85 (how does this happen without a transfusion), WCC 2.0 (what happened to 4.4) and neuts 0.8. My infection has spread to my chest but isn't very bad. I'm having low grade fevers of about 38 to 38.3

I have been booked in to have my transfusion on Thursday but I was told that the Hb was so good that I could have put it off until next week if I wanted. I decided to go ahead with my routine transfusion because I had already booked my working days with my hospital visit in mind.

I am still being amazed at how the body works. Sometimes you just can't explain the things that happen.

Time for a cool shower (it's 32 degrees here today). Between the fever, the weather and hot flushes..... I go through a lot of showers a day.

I hear that they are predicting around 34 or 35 degrees for Christmas day, and we always have the tradional Christmas lunch of baked ham, turkey, roast lamb, roast vegetables,(I love the parsnips and sweet potato) steamed pudding and custard. Thank goodness for air conditioning.

And if you read this Birgitta, my Dad was born in Nora and spent most of his childhood in Nora and Stockholm. I would love to be able to help my father relive some of his childhood memories of Christmas. He talks about dressing in some form of white dress(pyjamas?) and walking through the snow singing Santa Lucia. He said he can still remember the sound of bells on the sleighs being pulled by horses.

No such traditions in this country, it's too young and too culturally and ethnically diverse. Part of what I love about Australia.

Off to the shower.
Bye
Chirley