Neupogen, snoopogen - Neutrophils, can't we be friends?

Allrighty. Here I am again. And what's that you're saying? "Gee, that was fast Tommy. I thought it took several hours to have your blood drawn, see the doc, receive chemo and then get home and settled to blog. You, are amazing."

Well, you're right - **wink-wink**. It should have taken a lot longer...

Actually, my WBC's must be on strike or something. I mean, I think they're talking it over with management and may be giving in a little 'cause my neutrophils have went up a bit - just not enough.

Here's where I'm at -

		Range
	Actual	Low	High
Bloodpressure	107/68	(Less than 120/80)
WBC	3.7	3.5	11.0
HGB	12.4	12.0	16.0
HCT	36.1	34.0	47.0
Platelets	301	150.0	450.0
Neutrophils	1.0	1.5	7.5

Oh Yeah, this party is really getting started now.

So what's the deal now?
Well over the weekend (which was awesome by the way) I was thinking...

Why would they reduce my dosage as a first protocol? Wouldn't in make more sense to give me the Neupogen and just give a boost to my WBC's right away? I mean, then we'd be pretty sure they would go up right?

Today, I found out Dr Azar (who was on vacation last week) wants to do the Neupogin shots anyway (even before my lab results came back with the low-count news). The thing is, Neupogen isn't in the form of a pill. It's a shot. And it isn't a one time shot. It's not even two time shots. It's a five-days-a-week for the term of my treatment injection! And ooh ooh - the side effects may be flu like and hurt in my bones! Cancer, you are so ruining this relationship for me. I'm really starting not to like you. And then, as is the case with so many health issues - it ain't cheap. Dr Azar told me what to expect and I looked at her with a bit of nervousness "Can they bill me?". She says "oh yeah". A smile and sigh of relief from me "Allright then. Let's just add that to my tab." Dear God, I am trying to practice some grace and you keep making it easier on me. Everyday You bring some sort of light into my day that I know just might not have been there any other time. Today, Dr Azar GAVE me my first 10 doses of Neupogen! Thank you Lord AND thank you Dr Azar. You rock!

So, now I have an appointment for Wednesday to go in and do another bloodlab. I'm confident that this Neupogin will work it's magic and of course, all your thoughts and prayers will surely help too. If my counts are good, then I will receive my chemo then. Third times a charm right?

Okay, there ya go. I have learned way early in my journey that things don't just happen 'cause you add them to your calendar. And I am okay with that. I am just gonna take it one day at a time and try not to sweat the small stuff - or the big stuff that I have no control over for that matter.