For the last week or so, I have apparently been suffering from an acute case of "Neutropenia" and all I can think of is the 1973 rock opera "Quadrophenia" by The Who. I never knew what the word quadrophenia meant before last week (it is a term misused to describe schizophrenia) -- and, to be honest, I wish I never knew what the word neutropenia meant either.
This past chemotherapy treatment cycle was the absolute worst thus far. I was all set up and ready to get my SIXTH treatment (as in, 3/4 of the way done!) and while I was waiting in the chemo infusion room, the nurse came in to tell me that my blood counts were extremely low this cycle. Specifically, my "neutrophil" levels were at around 800, compared with the low end of the range which should be closer to 1,500, so mine were half of the low-end of the range.
I know, I know. Your next question is "Bonnie, what in the heck is a neutrophil?" And, of course, me having never taken chemistry in my life and only having taken 7th grade biology (somehow I slipped under the radar of science requirements in high school & college), I had to look this up on Wikipedia. The only English explanation I could cull from the scientific description was the following:
Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cells in mammals and form an essential part of the innate immune system. Low neutrophil counts are termed neutropenia. This can be congenital (genetic disorder) or it can develop later, as in the case of aplastic anemia or some kinds of leukemia. It can also be a side-effect of medication, most prominently chemotherapy. Neutropenia makes an individual highly susceptible to infections.
Translation: Low Neutrophils = Neutropenia = high probably for infection, sickness, etc.
No wonder I had been pretty tired leading up to chemo.
So, my doctor almost halted my infusion that day, but fortunately decided to keep me on track and give me the treatment on the condition that I came back in the next day to get a "booster" shot that creates new white blood cells (an aside: this "booster" is called Neulasta and costs $8,000 per shot - I am so happy I have insurance).
Today is exactly one week following my treatment, so here I am seven days later and I am finally starting to feel better. The real crux of the problem is that the combination of the Neulasta shot and my chemo drug, Taxol, caused some bad side effects for me. Neulasta prompts your body to create new white blood cells, which are made in the bone marrow. And, Taxol, has a side effect of bone pain as well, so the impact is compounded. So, for the last week my bones were in extreme pain. I was also exhausted and felt pretty run down. I wasn't able to work out and I was exhausted every day. Of course, I felt okay walking out of the chemo treatment, but after I got the Neulasta shot the following day, I was pretty much out for the count.
Hopefully when I go back in for my penultimate treatment next Thursday my counts will be high enough for me to avoid that booster shot.
I want to thank my sister Colleen, brother Bob, and my dear friend Brian for hanging out with me during parts of my treatment last week. It was really fun to have you all there at different times during the day.
Positive in the Face of Cancer: New Friends
So, the one upside I have experienced about having cancer is that I have been able to meet some amazing, amazing women through this process who are also breast cancer survivors. One of the people I have met if named Tiffany. My fertility navigator, Kristin Smith (who is also amazing!) referred me to her as a resource when I was diagnosed. Tiffany is 29 years old, was diagnosed last year at the age of 28 and has been through almost everything I have been through, only a few months earlier. She is such a trooper and is beautiful, athletic, and has a great attitude. She was recently interviewed by the Chicago Sun Times on the topic of oncofertility and I am pasting the link below. It's a quick read - plus, there's a picture of Tiffany and her husband Dave! But, I also want to say that I think the article is a bit of a downer about her chances of having kids. I mean, Tiffany and Dave have more than a "slim chance" of having their own children, in my opinion.
Link to article on oncofertility
Night at the Museum: An Evening for Young Adults Touched by Cancer
The evening of my chemo treatment, I attended the new Bodyworlds exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry with my friend and parallel universe cancer survivor, Heather. It definitely lifted my spirits. My doctors, my new cancer surivior network of friends, and lots of other inspirational people where there. Here's a picture of me and Heather at this event. It was fun running into a lot of people there -- all who are so upbeat, supportive, and cool.
All's Well that Ends Well
I seem to be doing pretty well now, but I shudder to think about what may lie ahead for me next week at treatment. Let's hope these little quadropheliac neutrophils are back on track by then.
More later.
Peace and Love and Health and Joy.
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