Alert status

After two cycles of increased chemotherapy, Steve's body is saying, "Slow down!"

His labs today show alert levels on white blood count and absolute neutrophils. The numbers were confirmation of the exhaustion he's been feeling the past few days.

The WBC is 1.7, with expected range of 4.0-10.5. Neutrophils are 0.8, with expected range of 1.8-7.8. These low numbers indicate that his immune system is compromised. His body isn't able to protect itself against germs right now.

Longtime readers will remember that this happened July 4 weekend this year. The protocol is the same -- preventive course of antibiotics, neupogen injections (which stimulates neutrophil growth) and seclusion from too many people until his counts are higher.

Because he was so tired today, he didn't work in the office. I drove him to the office so he could have blood drawn. (How lucky that he can have this chore taken care of by friendly co-workers?!) Then he rested at home while the kids, Betty and I spent the day at the State Fair. (I'm sure some of you were there, too -- it was the most crowded day I've ever seen in all my fair-going life.)

Tisa, our neighbor and friend who is also a highly skilled home-health care nurse, came by the house tonight to administer the neupogen -- two injections in his stomach.

He'll spend tomorrow at home and return to work Wednesday morning for another blood draw. Based on the Wednesday results, we'll know if he can stop the neupogen shots and be around people again.

When we meet with his oncologist next week, I expect we'll discuss dropping the chemotherapy dose back to 200 mg.

In the meantime, we'll pray for a quick return to normal counts, protection from infection and renewed strength.