The loss of White Blood Cells has been a constant battle for me since my diagnosis. Even before my chemotherapy began, there was some concern about my low. WBC count. However, since the start of treatment in November it has been an uphill climb. If the count drops below 1500 then I have neutropenia. I'm currently in moderate neutropenia since I had a neutrophil count of 700.
Neutropenia causes me to be more susceptible to infections and illness. In this vulnerable state bacteria that we normally carry on our skin and in our bodies can cause infections for me. Things like staph, or gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections are very common for people like me with neutropenia. We are also at an increased risk for fungal infections (no mani/ pedi combos for us). These infections can occur mainly in certain parts of the body, like the mouth, skin, or genital area, or it can enter the bloodstream and infiltrate the lungs, and other organs.
This means several things for my daily life in addition to treatment impact. The neutropenia means that chemotherapy has to be delayed yet again, thus prolonging chemotherapy again, as the oncologist can't risk further depletion of my WBC count. To date I have had four such delays which has extended chemotherapy which began in November to May. In addition to being emotionally and physically taxing the delays causes delays I other treatment and the eventual return to my new normal.
While in this state my oncology team are not only charged with helping me fight the cancer which decided to take up squatter residency in my body, but also with symptom management and treating the underlying issue of low WBC counts. My wonderful team which includes an awesome oncologist that I have a friend crush on( meaning I really want to be her friend and wish I had met her at a conference rather than in her office). And an incredible PA who I have a professional crush on( I want to be her when I grow up professionally) are diligent in their attention to the disease process and prevention. They have provide infection control education ( hand washing and sanitizing, mask, and gloves, avoiding large groups and small incubators ( aka children)and avoiding germ swap through physical touch. They have prescribed antibiotics as a preventative measure against the " big nasty" infections. They have also prescribe courses of WBC growth factors, the inspiration for the above comic. My current course of WBC growth factor is delivered in a series of FIVE daily injections which cause bone aches or the 95 year old syndrome as most of us call it. It is mediated with heating pads and extra strength Tylenol most of the time but may occasionally require a stronger pain reliever.
Daily life with neutropenia is a different, from daily life or daily life with cancer. When in am neutropenic I have to be hyper vigilant about every aspect of my life. This usually means I am grounded (reduced exposure to others who may be ill). It also means that what I can and more importantly can't eat such as raw fruits, vegetables, or sushi. This also rules out mushrooms because they are a fungi and caesar salad which has raw anchovies in the dressing, who knew? It means that I am obsessive about germs, no hugs, handshakes, etc. it means I wipe down everything, I hand sanitize after every touch, when I go out and when I come in to my home. Company that are allowed over few people wear a mask and so do I. It means if I go out and about I wear a face mask to protect me from the germs of others. So I thank all of you with healthy WBC counts , who do not go to the store, mall, or other public places sick, or before you cough without covering your mouth. Remember you never know when you may be next to someone without the WBC count to fight infection.
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