Friday, October 5, 2012

Chemo Round #10


Mon. Sept. 10, 2012 Chemo Round #10
This morning, I went in for the 10th round of chemo and another dose of radiation. My friend Tracy took me and we had a wonderful time visiting. I was surprised when they evaluated my blood counts to find that my white blood cell count has dropped dramatically this past week and my immune system is extremely low. The doctor allowed me to go ahead and get the chemo treatment today, but explained that I will need to have a daily shot of ‘neuprogen’ for the next 5 days. This shot is supposed to help my body increase the production of white blood cells so that I am more able to fight off infections. Next Monday, they will analyze my blood again to make sure that my WBC count is back up in the ‘normal’ range or I will have to skip that week’s round of chemo for another week until my body bounces back.

I was worried that I had done something to cause my body to take this turn, but the doctor explained that the combination of chemo and radiation is simply taking its toll on my body as it fights the cancer. I was disappointed because that means that I’ll have to make some adjustments in my schedule of ‘to do’s’ this week and be more cautious about being out in public and being exposed to germs. I had a few fun things planned with some friends this week and that's not going to happen. I just keep telling myself that, if all goes well, I will only have 3½ more weeks of these treatments and then I can start to recover. Wahoo! 

Me & by buddy Tracy at Chemo

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