Stockholm Syndrome

In order to take my scheduled chemotherapy, my blood counts have to be high enough. I have my labs drawn three days a week to make sure that they stay within the safe zone. Because some of my lab results have been "critically low" I haven't been able to have my scheduled chemo this week or last.

You would think that I'd be happy to stay at home rather than go to the hospital, but I really want to have my chemo stay on schedule. My doctor has to weigh the risks between letting the cancer continue to grow, or wiping out my immune system by giving me chemo therapy when it is too risky. Plus I miss my nurses and doctor.

Some of you may remember when millionaire heiress Patty Hearst was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army in 1974. After 2 months in captivity she took up their cause and actively robbed a bank. She was convicted and imprisoned.

Showing loyalty by a hostage to their captor is called the "Stockholm Syndrome". Now, I'm not equating my doctors and nurses as my captors, and chemotherapy as their cause, but I truly believe that they are doing the right thing with my care.