Neutropenic -- Word for the Day -- Saturday, June 14, 2008

Neutropenia
Definition: A condition of an abnormally low number of a type of a particular type of white blood cell called a neutrophil. White blood cells (leukocytes) are the cells in the blood that play important roles in the body's immune by fighting off infection. Because white blood cells can be affected by many diseases, doctors will often check the "white blood cell count" in evaluating health conditions.

I apologize for spelling this word wrong throughout the blog, but I think I explained it well enough that you knew what it meant anyway.

2.86 -- HEY!!! That is what the WBC was yesterday. Remember, we only had to get to 2.0. Sooooooo, we believe we are a go for getting the new port on Monday.

We arrived early this morning to UAMS. We were out of there by 9:30. After waiting almost two hours yesterday afternoon, and Pepper getting a little huffy about others going back that had only been there 20 min., we decided to get up and out today. We have to wait 5-6 hours between shots so hopefully we can beat the 5:00 p.m. rush today.

Chemo Sabe drove to his parents to deliver Father's Day gift. Yes, I let him go alone. But, of course, I had to get my nails done. He had more energy yesterday after coming off the groggy meds and today he was much better, also.

His appetite is doing very well. He gained three pounds since yesterday. He is eating more snacks between meals so I think that makes a big difference.

Today was to have been the beginning of our vacation. We had planned since January to ride to Knoxville up the dragon tail trail with our friends from Conway. They left this morning without us. I did get an email from them before they left. Rainman and Stretch will not have the most of fun because the four of us usually go everywhere on the bikes together. We still have our reservations for the Bikes, Blues and BBQ scheduled in September. By February all the lodging is booked for that festival. I made our reservations in January. There is usually 300,000 people... No, I didn't put too many zeros.

We let Pete in the den last night and he laid between Chemo Sabe's legs most of the night. If he had gotten any closer we could not have gotten a needle between them. Maxie has been rolling in the dirt so she is still confined to the sun room. Pete went there for the sleeping part.

Well, need to get on the road... Will let you know the labs when we return this evening.

Please keep Rainman and Stretch in your prayers this week as they travel. Also, pray for a continuous high WBC count. And, don't forget those that started this process the same day as we. Billy was down to 0.10 this week and only 1.2 yesterday. He had to take home a IV of magnesium yesterday. He is still taking the pain meds, too. We had thought he hurt his knee, but we found out this morning that it is the growth factor shots we get twice a day that is hurting him.

Love.... Pepper