Just call me "Pin Cushion"

I went in for my weekly labs yesterday. My white blood cell count was extremely low which is normal for this phase of treatment. It should be between 5-10 and mine was .5! I took 2 more shots in the stomach to help boost my blood making marrow. I went back in this morning for more lab work to see if the shots were working. Well they are, but not fast enough so I took 2 more shots in the stomach. I go back tomorrow for more lab work. I'm starting to feel like a pin cushion! Thankfully they've been taking my blood from the port in my chest. They put some cream on to help numb the skin before they insert the needle, so that has made it bearable. It's starting to get sore from so many sticks though so I may have to break down and let them draw from my arm tomorrow. I hate giving blood for labs! You would think all of the years I've been through shots and surgeries I'd be ok with a little needle stick, but it still ranks right at the top of my list for "Most Dreaded Things". So, I will post again with more labs results tomorrow. In the mean time, I am taking Levaquin (an antibiotic) as a precaution since I have practically no immune system right now. Cold and flu season--not a great time to be without white blood cells! All of this is normal though and the shots should start boosting cell production. Talk to you all again soon!

Forever yours,
The Pin Cushion