Neutropenia

Chemotherapy is pretty effective.  One of the ways that it works is that it targets cells that are dividing, and disrupts various steps in cell division.  The problem is, it doesn't discriminate between normally dividing cells and abnormally dividing (cancer) cells.  One part of the body constantly producing new cells is the bone marrow.  When bone marrow sees chemotherapy, the body's ability to replace the constantly dying blood cells is stopped and over a matter of days to weeks, the body has to rely on a limited supply of blood cells.  This results in anemia (too few blood cells), neutropenia (too few white blood cells, particularly neutrophils), and thrombocytopenia (too few platelets).  I promise, I'm not making up words that end with -enia.

J, is now anemic and neutropenic (not thrombocytopenic, so not at risk of bleeding).  He is very tired and doesn't feel like doing much.  He is also quite susceptible to infection.  The problem is, that while simple infections are usually handled effectively by the body's immune system, J's is compromised and a simple infection can turn into a life threatening infection in a very short time.  A new cough can't be ignored.  A fever in a person with neutropenia is considered a true medical emergency where every minute counts.  Every change in health must be taken seriously.

This is the worst part for me.  Watching.  Waiting.  Hoping the blood counts return quickly.  Hoping none of the kids bring something home from school, or more importantly, that I don't bring something awful home from the hospital.  Knowing there is not much that can be done.  There is a medication that can be injected (Mom learned) that helps kick start the bone marrow to start producing more white blood cells.  J is receiving this, but otherwise it is waiting.  Hoping, Praying.