November 2, 2007

Dad went for a blood test on Wednesday (two days ago) and it showed that his white blood cell count (WBC) was low. His average over the years has been around 5.

Just as the chemo started, they measured and it was 11, which is one point higher than average. Average is 2 to 10.

And this week's reading is 0.7. That means the Neulasta drug MAY not be working the way they thought. But we don't know yet. They said they will do another blood test next week.

Neulasta is supposed to draw out the WBC from the bone marrow to help the body fight infections.

But of course, Dr. Krankheit knows exactly what is wrong. On the ride home from the clinic, he already had at least five theories. And he was already prescribing appropriate remedies.

It started even as we were pulling out of the parking lot.

"I will skip golf tomorrow to rest up."

"No, you WON'T skip golf. The doctor said to exercise as much as possible!"

"Yabut, Low WBC means ..."

"You don't know what low WBC means! You are not a doctor."

"Yabut, low WBC means..."

"All it means is that they want to take another test next week. That's all!"

So, since he was getting nowhere with me, as soon as we get home, he turns to his loyal and trusted friend: Google. (Actually, it has been a menage a trois lately, because he has this voice "Paul" that reads everything on the screen for him. So, Paul, Google and Harold are always off in the corner these days.)

Oh, and now he knows EVERYTHING about Neulasta and the negative and dangerous side effects it has. And promptly, in our incessant game of one-upmanship, he comes over and tells me about how Neulasta can ITSELF cause certain types of cancer.

I don't look up from my laptop screen (situated on the dining room table) and I say, "Dad, I heard Paul say that those cases were in women with breast cancer."

He turns and walks away, gesticulating with his arms and silently moving his mouth as if he is making fun of a teacher behind his back.

But seriously, this thing has got him pretty bummed. He feels like he is a student that failed an exam.

This means he has to be even more careful about not catching a cold. There is a strict regime now of hand-washing after returning the house.