It’s been several days since I added to this journal. In that time I have undergone a blood and a platlet transfusion and two iron infusions. All these procedures have been remarkably successful,  helping reduce the discomforts of my illness, namely dry mouth, energy loss, sleeplessness, itching, shortness of breath.

So that has been a good thing.

Although my anemia levels have risen from a dangerously low 6 to 11.2, I will continue to have iron infusions at least twice a month for the remainder of my life.  For this, I travel to the Cancer Treatment Center at Elmbrook Hospital. 

 I am fascinated when I learn how dependent the human body is on the common mineral, iron. It is the staff of life, not only for humans but for every conceivable thing in our universe. The same iron mineral that chemists study is present in every adult—about 2 to 3 grams and those tiny amounts of iron do a giant's work in maintaining a healthy body.

Iron is important to every muscle in the body, its organs the blood, even the brain. Doctors are unsure how or when iron becomes deficient but when it does, the anemia levels drop and the body reacts in many ways.  Anemia  deficiency levels can be corrected by ingesting iron tablets. But in severe or chronic cases, infusion of new, clear iron plasma is the only treatment. 

With the cornea transplant surgeries two years ago, the recent blood transfusion, platlet and now iron infusions, I have become aware of the numbers of people I have never met or seen, who have been my donors. I hope they have been blessed in whatever way God sees fit.

Carol works hard to make my day as pleasant as possible and does most of the driving to my medical appointments.  But she now has a far important task of keeping me aware of the rise and fall of my glucose or blood sugar levels.  Drastic changes can occur any time of the day or night. I am in serious trouble--often confused-- when the levels drop below 100.  Carol and I  have perfected a "drill" that when the levels do drop quickly, a snack is prepared of orange juice, fruit, sugar cookies or any such foodstuffs that will bring the glucose to a more reasonable level.

If insulin is required, we prepare that shot, and then we wait, taking meter readings often into the early morning, to see if the levels have returned to normalcy.   

Last week, Dr. Carron discussed with me the results of an Alphi-1 blood test, indicating that while the Alphi-1 level was elevated there was no sign of a deficiency and he did not believe the rare liver/lung disease was a factor in my profile. He also told me that chest x-rays taken at the same time, showed no congestion and, in fact, were remarkably clear.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a liver/lung condition that deprives the lung of protein due to liver damage, and develops an emphysema condition?  This results in loss of energy, shortness of breath.