So this happened today…

Mom and I went to the GHS Cancer Center for my mid-cycle blood work. In oncology terms, the middle of the cycle is the “nadir” or the point when my blood counts are at their lowest. Remember, the chemo cocktail kills the bad cells, but it also kills the good ones.

Good news, my platelet and red counts are good, kidney function is good and magnesium level is low. Bad news, my white cell count is, to quote the PA, “dangerously low.”

No bueno.

Until I can get the white cell count up to acceptable levels, I am under house arrest. Can’t go out in public except back to the Cancer Center (more on that later).

There are other restrictions too:

• No raw vegetables or fruits (who ever thought I’d be upset that I couldn’t eat SALAD?)
• No freshly ground pepper
• No shellfish
• No handling sharp objects (knives, rotary cutters, straight pins, etc.)

So I’m stuck in my house and I can neither cook nor sew. Are they TRYING to kill me?

But I have to say — once again — how impressed I am that this medical practice proactively treats issues that come up during treatment. While the PA was talking to us, the Cancer Center’s “financial counselor” was on the phone with my insurance company to make sure that their normal treatments would be covered by my policy (affirmative).

They have prescribed a seven-day course of Cipro as a precaution against infection while I’m so susceptible.

They also gave me an injection of Zarxio that is designed to stimulate bone marrow to grow white cells. I need to go back tomorrow and Thursday for additional injections.

Then on Friday, I go back for more blood tests to see if my white cell counts have improved.

If so, I’m walking free. If not, Bubble Girl goes back into isolation.

So that’s how they treat a low white cell count re-actively.  With my next chemo, they will treat it proactively with a Neulasta patch designed to automatically inject medication into my system for a period of several days (also, thankfully, covered by my insurance company). Hopefully, that will help me maintain a healthy white cell level through my next 21-day cycle.

I have to admit, I’m a bit bummed. But mostly because I have plans for later this week and now I need to put them on hold. Plus the lack of independence, knowing I can’t take a run to the Target or go walking at the senior center, and may need to miss my quilt guild meeting on Saturday.

But I have to keep focused on the knowledge that these medical professionals deal with cancer every single day, and that the GHS Cancer Center is constantly researching and testing new ways to treat patients and minimize the side effects of those treatments.

So, if you have a moment in the next day or two, send me some good “white blood cell karma.” Please.

Let me close this post with a hearty congrats to my Philly buddies: Chip, Louise and Ron. I know you guys are loving life this week! Fly, Eagles, Fly!