Blame It (On the Che-Che-Che-Che-Che-Che-Che-Mo)

I thought I had it all figured out:
complete the final eight rounds of Taxol, and forget about it.

With treatments 1-4 securely behind me,
I was set to coast to the end of my regime with relatively few side-effects.
All I had to do was show up and take my medicine.

But the medicine was my problem.

"We have a little issue," the P.A. informed me, as she re-entered the exam room.
She carried a sheet of paper in her hand. A number was circled.
Turns out it was my white blood cell count.

A healthy white blood cell count, one that can effectively fight infection, is usually between 5,000-10,000.
Mine was just under 1,000, barely "passable", but good enough
...this time.

"So, why don't we start you on Neupogen injections," the P.A. explained. "It will elevate your blood level some. You will one injection daily, for three days following each treatment."

I felt deflated, knowing that my once-a-week treatment had morphed into four. It also meant missing this year's Cherry Blossoms Festival and Wine in the Woods.

NOTE to CROWDS and SICK PEOPLE - I'm avoiding you like the Crazy Girl Sushi at Katana's!

I know it's only temporary and given the consequences of having a "non-passsing" white blood cell count, (e.g., risk of a prolonged chemo schedule, or winding up in the hospital with a major infection), I'll have my injectionss and I'll beat it (cancer) too.