I had my one week check-up today which consisted of labs and a doctor visit. Everything was looking good with some abnormal labs that are to be expected. Over the last week, I experienced some bone and chest pain, minor nausea/acid reflux, and fatigue. I've been very fortunate to not have any of the other larger side effects. I'm eating, hydrating, and sleeping well. I'll call that a win.
My labs showed my white blood cells (specifically my granulocytes) were low enough that it warranted starting a once daily subcutaneous (under the skin) shot called GRANIX for the next week. Side effects expected: more bone pain.
GRANIX helps support my body’s efforts to increase white blood cell levels. The goal is to shorten the time I may have neutropenia during chemotherapy. It is a type of therapy called a growth factor or a colony-stimulating factor. Growth factors help your body increase blood cell counts, specifically white blood cells.
Cue the Gran Team:
There are three types of granulocytes on the Gran Team.
- Neutrophils can perform phagocytosis and are the most abundant type of granulocytes and the most abundant type of white blood cells overall in most mammals.
- Eosinophils make up about 1–6% of white blood cells and play a role in defense against parasitic infections.
- Basophils are the least common of the granulocytes, they can perform phagocytosis, produce histamine and serotonin and these cells play a role in immune regulation and allergic responses.
We're hoping these kick in and keep me on schedule for my 2nd cycle on February 19th!
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