9/24/13 Initial blood tests detected no leukemia cells in the blood. Bone marrow biopsy completed.

As I look back at this day, I shudder.  It was my first encounter with the oncologist/hematologist.  She was very matter-of-fact and gave me hardly a look.  She was late to perform the test and seemed like she was in a rush and I was not worth her time.  In hindsight, I know that most any doctor would have been unwelcome to me.  I was living a nightmare that I wished would end.  I had so little answers and wanted some closure.  Yet, I knew deep in my heart that something was terribly wrong and tht life was never to be the same again.

The relief I felt by the negative leukemia cells was countered by the uncertainty of what exactly we were facing.  I lost pounds during her first hospitalization.  The stress was huge.