"Leukopenia (or leukocytopenia, or leucopenia or leukopaenia) is a decrease in the number of circulating white blood cells (leukocytes) in the blood. As the principal function of white cells is to combat infection, a decrease in the number of these cells can place patients at increased risk for infection. "

My WBC counts over the last four days:

Tuesday 8/14/07 - 1.8
Thursday 8/16/07 -1.1
today, Friday 8/17/07 - 0.9

Normal WBCs should be 4.5 - 11

I had a clinic/lab + doctor appointment this morning at LifeLink. Just since yesterday my WBC had dropped another two-tenths from yesterday. One of my transplant doctors saw me and ordered the following: More bloodwork to check for possible CMV and/or EBV activation; temporary discontinuation of the medications Myfortic, Valcyte and Septra. Discontinued medication temporarily replaced by Prednisone (the most evil drug on Earth), 10 mg once daily. I was also given an injection of Neupogen which is used to stimulate the body to make more WBCs.

My very low WBC count warrants a lot of attention. I'm back to being quarantined and unable to go in public without a mask. Not so cool since my son starts 2nd Grade on Tuesday - he'll be around other kids with germs, so here's to hoping he doesn't bring anything home. I also have appointments with my regular Nephrologist on Monday and an appointment at LifeLink on Wednesday for labs+doctor visit.

Dr. Google has me scared - the doctors say my kidney is fine, but it seems I'm walking a VERY FINE LINE with the rest of my health. Three weeks ago my WBCs were 6.3 - I wish I knew what happened?

I don't know if its a side-effect (or just the fact that I spent the day in Tampa, in 1,000 degree heat, wearing cheap flip-flops) of the low WBCs or the medication, but I feel tired, achy and very fatigued. My legs, hips, feet, knees, ankles and back hurt (more than my arm hurts from surgery 3 days ago!)

I'll keep ya'all updated!