Chemotherapy week six: “your white blood cell count is getting low, it’s time for your white blood cell booster shots.” Neupogen® (filgrastim) is a drug that has been used successfully for cancer patients to stimulate the growth of the white blood cells, making patients less vulnerable to infections. -thanks google
So, what does this mean for me? Every night for three days after chemotherapy I was to inject a Neupogen shot into my belly. Good thing I was used to this from all the injections from my egg retrieval process. These were a bit different though. Side effects from this medication were body aches, headaches, and stiff joints especially the low back and hips. Some advice that I got from my oncologist was to take a Claritin with these shots to help with the side effects… and it did seem to help! Or I just didn’t really notice the side effects. Not sure, but I did take Claritin because why not?
I ended up having to take these injections for the duration of my treatment. Obtaining these medications was an entirely different experience/pain in the ass. These medications need to be refrigerated and delivered to your house. Not only do you need to know exactly when they are being delivered but you have to make sure you are home at a decent time so they don’t get too warm or too cold. AND THEY ARE FRICKEN EXPENSIVE, so you don’t want to mess it up! After getting the prescription and talking to 3 different pharmacists, the medications were delivered just in time to start the injections. Injection day 1, not bad. Day 2, not bad, Day 3… I can do this.
My actual chemotherapy session went smoothly, spent with my best friend Sarah. We hung out and caught up just like a normal coffee date, and I remember when I asked her to take a picture with me she said, “we never take photos and this is when you want to take a picture!?” haha! I wanted to document every person who stood (or sat) by my side through this experience… and I am glad I did. Looking back now, I had and still do have an army of people by my side. Unbelievable ♥️
Mandafit 