Neutropenia, Thrombocytpenia, and Anemia

Neutrophil (White blood cell)

Platelets

Red blood cells

So-all you medical types that understand the title can just skip forward.  

For anyone for whom the title is a little obscure, the bone marrow makes three basic blood lines: white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.  There are many different types of white blood cells (neutrophils, lymphocytes, basophils, etc.) depending on their function (fighting infection primarily).  A common white blood cell known as a neutrophil is in the top photo with the purple segments.

Platelets are primarily the glue that causes hemorrhage to slow down, by forming a mini log jam at the site of bleeding.  Don't ask why, but a low platelet count in medicalese is 'thrombocytopenia'.  The center photo shows platelets clumping together and doing their job.

Finally you all know about red blood cells and their main function of transporting oxygen-they are in the bottom photo and you know anemia as the name for a decrease in red cells.

I have arrived near the bottom of the bone marrow devastation engendered by chemotherapy from 7-10 days ago.  White blood cell count (normally 4000-10,000) is 200; platelets (normally 150,000-400,000) are 33,000, and hematocrit (red blood cell count-usually 45 or so) is 29.

Another interesting phenomenon is the peeling away of the entire gastrointestinal tract lining.  This gives rise to some nasty nausea (compounded by the reduced blood counts) and diarrhea that I won't even mention in mixed company.

All in all, it has been a trying time for the last few days due to major league nausea.  Some meals you just can't even think about, and just give a pass.  Others you manage to get down a moderate amount of sustenance.  Intravenous feeding is available and may be used, depending on how things go.

Enough of the medical stuff.  It is always comforting to hear from you (read: the real outside world) and I always appreciate your kind messages, wishes, and prayers.

As a close friend said, this is an adventure, and we are just having to ride the wave.

Best wishes to all and thank you for being there for me and my family.

T