Vocabulary Lesson

Good Morning Class!

Today, we are going to learn a new vocabulary word!  And today’s word is NEUTROPENIA.  Can you say that?  Neutropenia means your body does not have enough neutrophils-the white blood cells that fight germs.  You are considered neutropenic when your infection fighting ability is too low.  When you are neutropenic there is a greater chance of getting an infection or sick since your immunity is compromised.  And guess who was neutropenic this week?  You guessed it!  Our little Sam!

This is a common occurrence when one is going through chemotherapy.  The drugs used to fight the cancer and destroy the bad cells also kill good cells in the body-including white blood cells.  According to Dr. Shih, a normal person might have an ANC level (absolute neutrophil count) of 1500.  As a person goes through chemo, this number drops.  Doctors start to keep an eye out when one’s ANC level reaches 1000.  They are concerned when it reaches 800.  500 is considered dangerous (according to Sam’s doctor.)  This week, Sam’s ANC level was 125.  Dr. Pradhan says be prepared that during this journey, Sam’s ANC level will potentially bottom out at some point and reach zero.  The good news is, one’s ANC level usually begins to rebound after a few days as our incredible bodies begin to heal themselves. God designed such a wonderful “machine.”  So, what do you do when you have a low ANC number?  Avoid crowded places such as malls, movie theaters, stay away from people with contagious diseases, stay away from other children who have received certain vaccines such as measles/mumps/rubella, polio or the chicken pox vaccine within the last six weeks.  Good hand washing is also essential, as well as wearing a mask anytime you are out in public-such as going to and from the doctor’s office.  And above all, try your best not to get a fever-for that will earn you a trip to the emergency room and a stay in the hospital to receive intravenous antibiotics.

Sam wearing his mask.  You may also notice that his port is accessed.  He has been receiving nightly fluids this week since he was dehydrated at his last clinic visit.  Fluids are given each night over a 12 hour period for seven days.  He DOES NOT like having his port accessed.  Being accessed means having a needle in his chest that is taped down at all times.  He is so nervous that he will bump it and walks around with rounded shoulders like a little old man.  He doesn’t sleep well during this time for he refuses to roll from side to side in his bed in order to protect his port and since he is receiving a bunch of fluids, is up about every 45 minutes to use the restroom.

Having low counts makes one very sleepy and Sam has been quite tired this week.  He is not attending school (and I use that very loosely since he hasn’t been consistently this year due to frequent bouts of nausea) because he was neutropenic.  Lori, our tutor and good friend, to the rescue!

When one is neutropenic, our doctor likes for us to visit the clinic a couple times a week to check numbers.  We were happy to learn that on Thursday, Sam’s ANC level had climbed to 700!  Hurray!  It was no longer necessary to wear a mask in public, but as you can imagine, we are still being quite cautious with all of the other recommendations.  In other words, we are staying home and indoors A LOT and we all have developed a severe case of Cabin Fever!!!!  We will be back at clinic on Tuesday for more blood work.  Hopefully Sam’s numbers will be high enough to where he no longer needs fluids, can have his needle removed, and attend school for a few days before Round Four begins!  Believe it or not, it is just around the corner-January 26th to be exact.

Until next time,

Erica