Day 6 enters full neutropenia

Catching some Rays in the Window Seat

Heidi is officially neutropenic now.  In the 5 days since chemo started, her white blood count has gone from 24 to 1.1.  It will go lower.  Her red cell count was down to 7.6, which is borderline for getting a transfusion.  She didn't get one today, but surely will tomorrow. 

I've always thought she and I have been mildly germophobic.  For instance, I notice when a waitress delivers a glass with her hand on the rim where my lips will go.  For Heidi, the cleanliness of a restaurant and its bathroom has a big effect on how much she enjoys the meal.  They aren't big life-interrupting obsessions, but a very mild obsession.

The mild part of the equation is going away for the next few weeks, and beyond.  As I said before, she and I can't share food or food utensils.  I'm also not allowed to use her bathroom.  She has to have a new drinking cup every day.  She isn't allowed to turn on the shower water (mold could have collected in the pipes) or carry her towels to the hamper.  She isn't allowed to flush the toilet either, though that's more because they have to monitor the guzintas and guzouttas.  She had to give up her Sonicare toothbrush today because it's too abrasive on the gums.  She can't shave her legs and can't use old makeup or old skin care products; newly opened products are much safer.  Every day they change her sheets and sanitize her mattress, pillow, remote, telephone, window seat and most other surfaces she touches with alcohol wipes.  This room is positively pressurized with a HEPA filter to eliminate infiltration.  No flowers or plants are allowed here.  I can't even bring in a pumpkin for halloween.  They encourage me to bring in food she likes, though berries are not allowed because they have too many crevices where bacteria can hide.  Any other raw fruit I bring has to be scrubbed with medical-grade soap.  They go to very great lengths here to maintain an aceptic environment. 

After we get home she won't be able to clean bathrooms or dig in the dirt to plant anything.  No swimming pool.  No hanging around in crowds (and wearing a mask while in public).  I'm sure we will be given a big list of things to avoid before we leave.  Anyway, Germaphobes R Us.