Word of the Day SEGS - September 5, 2012

"Don't Underestimate the Seductive Power of a Decent Vocabulary"

I learned a new word today.  New words are pretty common in a health journey.  I thought I learned most during the first battle, but I have a whole new vocabulary since June. You are subjected to all kinds of words that you have never heard of, can't spell, and often times are unable to pronounce.  The word of the day is SEGS.  I guess it isn't really a word it is abbreviation.  

I woke up in a much better place today.  Sorry about yesterdays rant and bashing of a beloved nationwide pharmacy.  I could have been a lot worse and ranted more based on the pain from throat sores.  Trust me the swearing in my head when I try to swallow is pretty bad.  I'm early to the office today...ok, I work from home much of the time, but today I was particularly early for work and I even showered and was ready for the day.  Dressed in real clothes and not just my Old Navy v-neck tee.  "Lunch" is spent getting my blood work as agreed upon to go off of Neulasta.  The deal was that I would get weekly complete blood counts (CBC) on Wednesdays.  So, I'm holding up my end of the bargain.  Right when I get half way to the Homer location I remember that I forgot to put the numbing cream on my port...ugh!!  That means it is going to hurt when that access my port.  Fortunately, I mentioned that I forget the medicine and they suggested ice.  I numbed my port area and then Jackie took my blood.  I wanted for the CBC to be processed.  Just me and a little lady next to me in the chairs along the wall when you walk in.  She was very sweet and appears to be on a long term treatment plan.  When the initial results come back from the lab I am told that my white blood counts are up a bit and I get to head home.  Pretty excited that I did not have to get the Neupogen shot!!!  My body is working with me!  My counts are heading in the right direction!  My.....wait a minute....I get almost all the way home and my cell phone is ringing.  The caller ID says "Loyola Homer".  It's Jackie and she is telling me that I need to come back to the office.  While the immediate results were showing higher white counts, the SEGS were too low for safety.  The way I understand things, SEGS are the "fighters" in your white blood cells.  You need the SEGS to fight for the immune system.  SEGS are a part of the neutrophil granulocytes which are an abundant type of white blood cells and form an essential part of the immune system.  They are the predominant cells in pus.  They are recruited to the site of injury or illness within minutes following trauma and they are the main reason for acute inflammation. SEGS account for 50 - 70% of your white blood cells.  Am I losing you let???  Yes, I am doing my research and trying to understand it all, but this one is hard to put in "human terms".  All I know is that I do not have enough, the nurses and Dr. Robinson are very concerned and I am driving back to Loyola for a shot.  The plan was that I would start Neopogen in the counts went too low.  I would also have to avoid hugging, touching, eating fruits, fresh veggies, etc.  Basically, I would have to continue to do my best to avoid germs.  Clearly I did not do a very good job of it in the past week, but I still need to watch my mental health as much as my physical health.  

Maybe I already explained the drug.  I really can't remember so I will give a brief overview.  Neupogen is in the family of drugs that is used to treat neutropenia which is the condition that causes the body not to create enough neutrophils (see above).  Neupogen helps my body make these cells that are much needed.  The doses are smaller than Neulasta and given daily for 7 days.  So we have high hopes that I will not experience the pain of the past drug.  Ok...this is all getting too technical.   Jackie gives me the shot in my arm.  It burns and stings, but it is quick.  She also noticed that my port was looking funky and suggested neosporin.  All of this leads up to me figuring how to call into two meetings tomorrow at the office because I cannot be around people, cancelling Friday night dinner plans with Dave for a competitive casino shop in Indiana, and making plans to stay close to home for the next week.  I had teased Dave that I wouldn't go to the buffet because I've watched too many 20/20 episodes.  Now I have reinforcement that buffets are bad for my health.  I also need to make plans to get my shot closer to home.  Loyola is working with my insurance to get approval for me to give myself the shot.  Let's face it, that is NOT going to happen.  Who would catch me when I pass out?  So I have already reached out to Amy to see if she or Don would be free the net 6 mornings to give me a shot. She is kind enough to say yes and I am elated that I have friends that are nurses.  Works out even better that there are two under one roof.  Eric is in Canada fishing or he would have been recruited.

The rest of the day/night is spent working, eating popsicles/jello/pudding for my throat, and getting achy from the shot.  The pain is in my arms, butt, and hips.  It increases throughout the day and my legs start hurting in the evening.  It is not as bad as when I had Neulasta but I can't help but wonder if 1 shot is better than 7.  My biggest fear right now is that I will not be able to go to our Relay Summit that starts two weeks from today.  

I took a painkiller, flipped channels, and spent some time texting with Mary from my work WE.  We shared insurance gripes.  Mary's husband has been fighting cancer and she understands what it is like to fight with the insurance and pharmacies.  I guess there is comfort in knowing that we are not alone in the fight against big business.While we text Honey Boo Boo is on in the background (sorry, Dad). At least I can watch a few seconds of this show and think that my life is FANTASTIC!  

After I'm done texting with Mary I sent the picture of Kelly Pickler and her best friend with their shaved heads to Gina, Steph, Cindi, and Kim.  I'm not sure why those bitches didn't shave their heads with me!!!  C'mon, Gina's would have totally grown back in two weeks!  KIDDING!!!  I'm too good of a friend to allow someone to join me...unless it's a man.  Bald men are sexy!

My night ends with emails back and forth with my Mom. Have I mentioned how much I love that she emails??/  Brenda, if we can get you texting we could be besties!  Mom is also watching Honey Boo Boo...she's possibly the President of the fan club, but she's a closet watcher.  She has to change the channel when my Dad enters the room.  The show is ridiculous, but my Mom cries laughing wile watching it.  Laughter is the BEST medicine, so maybe she is on to something!  Plus, my Mom is from the South...maybe she's watching some, long lost relatives.  YIKES!!!!

XOXO,

S

Kelly Pickler ( I think that's her name) & her best friend

Me & Henry.  He doesn't sit still long enough for pictures.

To make my Mom laugh and to see if my Dad scrolls to the bottom.  PLUS...that's a whole lotta pink to love.


If you or anyone you love is facing cancer PLEASE reach out to the American Cancer Society.  Nobody should face cancer alone.   http://www.cancer.org/  or 800.227.2345.   24 hours a day 365 days a year.