What it means to be neutropenic

February 19 – Friday

In the ‘neutropenic’ (low white cells neutrophils) state, the vital signs are ramped up to every four hours to monitor for fever.  Her total WBC falls to 400.  She cannot floss her teeth because of potential bacterial seeding if she bleeds.  She is staying on top of rinsing her mouth with saline.  Her upper gut and lower gut are unsettled.  All of these are from the knock-out effects of chemotherapy on rapidly remodeling tissues such as skin, mucous membranes (mouth and GI tract), and hair.  She needs to eat as much protein to make new marrow components and repair.  She eats her first omelet and it’s very good.

Teri finished her 7 days continuous ara-C (cytarabine) infusion today.  Yeah.  For the first time in a week she is unhooked from an IV and IV pole.  Recall that her dancing partner is nick-named Colin (Firth).  It was funny that as she went into the bathroom, she instinctively pushed Colin with her, and belatedly realized that for the first time, she was not tethered to him anymore. 

She took a long hot shower which felt wonderful. 

Rachel is making signs for her room that says “Kick Butt’, “Cancer Free” and “A Match!”

Today we ordered out to give Rachel and John a break from the kitchen.

Several of the APAMSA students, two of whom do research with me, brought home made dumplings with hand-rolled skins.  Their labor of love is comforting and healing.