Neupogen: A drug that basically forces stem cells to get to work making white cells. A drug that I started today. It is a filgrastim, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and is actually a genetic form of therapy with a very cool mechanism for those of you interested in such things. I have taken this on numerous occasions to recover from chemo in the past. This time the purpose is different from recovery, namely jump starting the transplanted cells. In my experience, Neupogen takes about 7-10 days to kick in, but I am taking a slightly higher dose than usual so it will be interesting to see what kind of turnaround time my immune system will have. You know that it kicks in because of the incredible bone pain caused by the internal pressure associated with the cellular growth inside your marrow, but also because your blood counts increase. Although I am patiently waiting for nature to take its course inside my bones, I am eager to see some improvement in my condition. My blood pressure keeps fluctuating with all the fluids being pumped into me and this causes swelling in inconvenient places.
The doctor asked me if I wanted some oxycontin for my headaches. I know most people would jump at the chance for a cool pain killer script, but I think I'll only take it if I really need it. I think I just need a good night's sleep, which won't happen until I get home. Another reason to be eager for my immune system to take a spark.
One day at a time is all I can say for now.
