Expectation Adjustment Needed

9 January 2026

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Proverbs 17:22

The test results are in. We have some good news and some not-so-good news, which crushed my spirit for at least a day or two. But then I received some cheerful information.

The good news: My weight is 137 pounds, just one pound less than before. It is hard to eat enough food on a salmon salad eating regimen, but I’ve done it! Plus, most of my blood work since doing home therapies is within normal range. Yay!

The not-so-good news is that my inflammation markers (SED and C-reactive protein) have doubled and tripled, respectively. In addition, I have continued to have a slight low red blood cell count, however, now my hemoglobin and hematocrit is slightly lower as well.

The game plan is to retake the bloodwork on January 20, as I could have been fighting the flu that caused the inflammation numbers to spike. They also would like to add a urine analysis to verify that I do not have any typical infections.

My lymphatic massage therapist and I were shocked that I had high inflammation markers. She had commented during a massage just the week before that she didn’t feel much inflammation in my body. Plus, I personally thought it would be lower because all of my joints (hands, wrists, shoulders, knees, and feet) have had absolutely no inflammation these past couple of weeks—for the first time in 29 years. I have felt amazing in that area.

Because of these two factors, however, I had expectations that my numbers would be low.

So, when they had doubled and tripled, I had a rough 24-48 hours. Thankfully, I have a loving and patient husband who pulled me back up, along with all who were praying for me.

As for the low red blood cell count, that did not surprise me, but the two additional areas did. Since I had no expectations, though, those results were easier to swallow. We will be adding an iron panel when I test again to confirm whether it is anemia or something else.  

As for the cheerful news: To help the low red blood cell count, I can now start adding a meal or two of organic chicken and grass-fed beef each week. Though fish will still be prominent in my diet, I’m so excited.

To continue some cheerful news, though I have not personally tested it orally, I had soy sauce spill all over my hands. In the past I would swell or break out in a little rash. Neither happened today. That makes a body feel good.

After I receive my results from January 20 bloodwork, I’ll send another update and hopefully will be adding details about my next trip to Hope4Cancer.

Love,

Tammy

Written by Tammy Lea Fabian

Edited by Mia Atteberry