Saturday, December 12, 2009

Neutrophil watch

I wasn't going to mention anything, because I assumed it would return to normal by now. Apparently, my neutrophils took a huge dive shortly after Thanksgiving when I caught that cold virus from Jenelle. The anti-biotic worked well, and I've been feeling fine with no cold symptoms, however when my labs were drawn at my last appointment at UCLA (on Dec. 2) my neutrophils had dropped to 700. Apparently the virus, along with chemo meds took a real shot to my immune system.

I had a message on my answering machine last Friday from the oncologist instructing me to stop all chemo meds. I called them back and actually got the nurse on the line. I was actually getting dressed to head out the door to go to Disneyland that night to enjoy the Christmas lights. When she told me my neutrophils were 700, I asked her if it was OK to go to Disneyland and she said absolutely not! She told me to be careful and to avoid sickies, but 700 had me concerned as anything below 500 and I'd be back in the hospital. Never mind that I had taken Jenelle to the Pediatrician the day before, or that I had just come home from my firm's Holiday party.

I had my blood re-drawn on Wednesday this past week and have been waiting for the good news. I spoke to the doctor yesterday, and my neutrophils are still low at 1,200. But they are headed in the right direction! They are going to keep me off chemo another week until it returns to normal. I can still go to work, but need to be extra cautious and avoid schools and sick people. I have to have my blood re-drawn this coming Wednesday.

Always better to be safe, and I can't imagine we've had a lapse in washing our hands this time of year. All I know, is that I am much happier and healthier than I am a year ago, and that keeps a smile on my face. No need for a neutrophil dance, but if you could send a positive thought that they keep increasing, that would be wonderful.

I'll keep you posted - and keep smiling! ;)

4 comments:

Leightongirl said...

I'll be thinking of you...

MoonNStarMommy said...

Hey Kelly - I am so glad that they are headed back up where they belong and I hope that they continue to. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and Jenelle ... I have been reading your blog for awhile but recently took a bit of a blogger break. Now I'm back though. I sooooooo happy to hear that you are cancer free! YAY!!!

ANewKindOfPerfect said...

I stumbled across your blog a while back and then lost the link. I am happy to have found it again! We live in SoCal also. :) I hope that your counts go back up soon!

Anonymous said...

HUGE smile. Good on you, you are a legend, Kelly, and so are all your family.

Genevieve