Today, I received some not so good news. Before each chemo treatment, the nurses take a little blood and run a CBC (complete blood count). My white blood cell count is cyclic depending on which chemo drugs were recently administered. Today, my white blood cell count was very low from the Nitrogen Mustard given last Thursday. Friday I was given a Neulasta shot which will boost my white blood cell count, but it takes a while to take effect and it should start working in the next few days. My red blood cell count has been consistently low and getting lower. The normal range is 4.0 – 6.0 million cells per cubic millimeter. For the last few weeks my count has been between 3.0 and 4.0. So, I have been given a red blood cell booster shot each week in attempt to bring that up. Today, my count was 2.88. So it is getting worse. My doctor is having me come in on Monday to see the result of my booster shot today, and based on those CBC results, we may decide that a blood transfusion is necessary. If it is necessary, I will soon find out if my loving sisters offer to give blood or bone marrow has expired!
Next week will be a long and busy week for me. On Monday I have a PET scan. Before that, I will go to my oncologist to give blood for the CBC test. Based on the results, if a transfusion is necessary, I am not sure how soon my oncologist will schedule it. But even if it is not scheduled next week, which it most likely will be, I have two chemo treatments scheduled. One on Wednesday, the second on Thursday, and then a Neulasta shot on Friday. And on Wednesday I will meet my oncologist before my chemotherapy to discuss the results of the PET scan. I will be sure to post a blog entry concerning that meeting, because I am sure everyone is as interested as I am to find out the amount of cancer cells that still remains in my body. I am going to request to see the PET scan images myself, and if possible, I would like to get a copy and possible post that in my blog. We will see…
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2 comments:
Absolutely. Mom and Dad always taught us to share. My blood is your blood. Take care of yourself.
Chris,
Reading your experience as you go through this is encouraging. I don't know if my attitude would be as possitive as yours is. I have the deepest hope that you would be fully healed. You have been given a spirit of power, love , and sobermindedness. Looking forward to your next update.
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