Low White Blood Count

Anthony went in for his second round of chemotherapy today as planned, feeling ready for the process. They started out, like they always will, doing a blood work up to make sure all counts were within a healthy range. One thing they check is White Blood Count (WBC) which "are cells of the immune system involved in defending the body against both infectious disease and foreign materials," in other words this is what fights off infection and keeps us healthy. A "normal" white blood count is between 4.0 - 10.5 with 1.5 being a danger zone... Anthony's was 0.1 This means he has a 28% higher risk of contracting a life-threatening infection. In other words, if he has a hint of a fever we need to book it to the ER because his body can't fight ANYTHING off right now.

The nurse said a drop in WBC during chemotherapy is sadly normal, and told Anthony he could not have chemo until his WBC had risen. To aide this process he was given an injection of Neupogen, a white blood cell booster, and is now miserable. The main side effect he is feeling is a "stabbing pain in [his] spine," which makes it difficult for him to get comfortable. He has been in the chair, in the bed, on the floor, walking around, standing still... nothing helps. Maybe we'll try the car? Neupogen injections age given once per day for three days. On a Lymphoma internet forum Anthony found some guy who had to take 12 Vicodin to manage the pain. Our nurse suggested Tylenol.

However, next week after Chemo and every week thereafter, he will be getting a Neulasta injection. Neulasta is also a white blood cell booster that "helps reduce the risk of infection." Worth $7,000 per injection? You read that right. Seven more injections at $7K = $49 thousand dollars. My entire year's salary would cover 4 injectons. Luckily there's a financial application for the Neulasta which, if we're approved, will cover all but $50 per injection. Oddly enough, anti-nausea/infection fighting meds before chemo and the Neulasta injectons after are both more expensive than the chemo meds themselves. The financial advisors have been really helpful as far as getting us various financial applications for various medications.

Our current schedule is a Neupogen injection at 2:00P Thursday and 10:00A Friday, an appointment with the Oncologist at 10:20A on Friday, and try to have chemo again on Wednesday and if that works the Neulasta injection will be Thursday afternoon. We are blessed to live 22.6 miles from the Peggy and Charles Stephenson Oklahoma Cancer Center.