Because my body is that weird.
Jan. 30th, 2019 05:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gridloreSaw my hemo-oncologist today. Can I say how thrilled I was to have a copay when I signed in? Yes, I was thrilled to fork over $35, because it was a sign that I am inching closer to being a more regular member of society. Leaving MediCal for a Medicare Advantage plan was a huge step for me.
I really like Dr. Agrawal. He's one of those doctors who takes time to know you, not just your charts. We always have a good chat. But today he opened with the fact that I was responsible for him being wakened by the blood lab at 0600 with frantic news about me.
See, your immune system has many working parts, one of them being a type of white blood cell called a neutrophil. In a normal human, the absolute neutrophil count is between 1500-7800 cells/uL. That's normal.
My count was 139 cells/uL. Hence the panic at the lab.
But Dr. Agrawal knows me and has looked at my lab work going back all the way to my cancer treatment. I've always had low neutrophil counts. Looking at my total white blood cell count (in range) and the counts of the specific types of white blood cells (all high except for the neutrophils) Agrawal understands that this is just how my body works post-chemotherapy. I just never regained the ability to produce neutrophils properly, and my body compensated with other disease fighters.
This is only an issue if I get multiple infections requiring antibiotics or hospitalization. Then I get booster shots. I'll pass, if possible.
Just more proof that our bodies may all be built on the same basic plan, but there are infinite variations.
I really like Dr. Agrawal. He's one of those doctors who takes time to know you, not just your charts. We always have a good chat. But today he opened with the fact that I was responsible for him being wakened by the blood lab at 0600 with frantic news about me.
See, your immune system has many working parts, one of them being a type of white blood cell called a neutrophil. In a normal human, the absolute neutrophil count is between 1500-7800 cells/uL. That's normal.
My count was 139 cells/uL. Hence the panic at the lab.
But Dr. Agrawal knows me and has looked at my lab work going back all the way to my cancer treatment. I've always had low neutrophil counts. Looking at my total white blood cell count (in range) and the counts of the specific types of white blood cells (all high except for the neutrophils) Agrawal understands that this is just how my body works post-chemotherapy. I just never regained the ability to produce neutrophils properly, and my body compensated with other disease fighters.
This is only an issue if I get multiple infections requiring antibiotics or hospitalization. Then I get booster shots. I'll pass, if possible.
Just more proof that our bodies may all be built on the same basic plan, but there are infinite variations.
