Low Neutrophil Count

This morning Mary Jo and I met with MJ’s oncologist, Dr Gall at Minnesota Oncology in Burnsville. Mary Jo was given a physical examination and status review before she was administered the Herceptin treatment which she now receives every third week. Dr Gall raised a concern regarding Mary Jo’s blood work numbers. The total white blood cell count and more importantly the total neutrophil count remains low and well below the norm range. A low white count and a low neutrophil count can render Mary Jo prone to bacterial infections as her ability to fight infection is severely compromised. Dr Gall is concerned because the negative effects of chemotherapy on her blood count should be out of Mary Jo’s system by now as she is several weeks past her last systemic chemotherapy session. Dr Gall ordered slide smears of the blood work to confirm the low counts. He extensively quizzed Mary Jo about her intake of any possible supplements. Certain supplements, though safe on there own may be having an adverse effect when combined with the combination of drugs being prescribed and thereby suppressing Mary Jo’s white blood cell numbers. Mary Jo is tolerating the Herceptin treatments well with little negative side effects. After the 8:20am appointment at Minnesota Oncology, Mary Jo went in at 11:40 for her daily radiation session. Today marks radiation session #7 of 33 at the Ridges Radiation Therapy Center in Burnsville. Mary Jo is feeling good today.