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Looking at the World
Through Neutropenic Eyes
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Cross Your Fingers & Hope For Rising Levels
It's Wednesday and Adam has been lodging at Sloan Kettering since Sunday night. An expected response to his treatment, his blood levels bottomed out late last week. As a precaution, if his temperature rises above 100.4, he checks into Sloan.
When his levels are so low, Adam needs to adjust his lifestyle to accommodate a compromised immune system. The next article describes more about living with low neutrophils.
Staying at the hospital is not necessarily a trial. Like all hurdles, Adam has learned to make the most of the situation. He feels safe in the hospital environment and the nurses do a great job of keeping him amused (or is it Adam keeping the nurses amused?). And if not in isolation, you can seldom find him in his room. He is always off visiting other patients or doing laps around the floor.
We have been told that 14 laps around the unit equals one mile. It's called the Meyers' Mile, named after Dr. Meyers, one of Adam's primary doctors. Although we have seen proof that walking laps dramatically improves his blood levels, Adam is suspect about the distance. He and Steve will be measuring the unit with a laser level...
Being inpatient did not delay his progress tests. Over the last two days, Adam has had a barrage of tests to determine how he is faring on treatment. We hope to have the results early next week.
Meanwhile, with a few more Meyers' Miles under his belt, a couple of blood transfusions and and healthy eating, Adam hopes to raise his levels to be strong and healthy for Adam's Eve on Saturday, January 30th.
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PICTURED AT RIGHT: Adam modeling the protective gear supplied by Sloan Kettering. He doesn't have to wear it, but it made a great photo op.
Looking at the World Neutropenic Eyes
It's like suddenly needing to be OCD, with a strong dose of mysophobia (fear of germs). Finding yourself guarding against infection when neutrophils are low is a common chore for people being treated with chemotherapy.
Healthy people don't often get infections even though bacteria and viruses are all around us, even in the air we breathe. The body protects itself against the constant risk of infection by making neutrophils.
A regular side effect of chemotherapy, usually the week after treatment, is neutropenia. The term neutropenia describes the situation where the number of neutrophils in the blood is too low. When neutropenic, you need to be hyper vigilant about germs.
Overall, Adam explains, it's a feeling of fragility. The world feels hostile. You're always second guessing what you can touch -hyper aware of your
hands; where they've been, what they've touched. Mentally calculating
how long the bottle of water has been open and exposed to the air.
Suddenly even door knobs look ominous.
Washing hands is still the best defense against infection. Wash often,
wash well, and keep washing for 30 - 60 seconds. Avoiding people with
cough and colds is imperative. It's shocking how many people cough and
sneeze without covering their mouth. Coughing into your elbow is the
appropriate means of not spreading germs, and it shows what a well
informed person you are.
Neutropenia means no manicures, pedicures or simply trimming you nails.
It means using a clean electric razor instead of a disposable. Even a
massage is off limits, due to bruising when platelets are low.
Neutropenia means avoiding crowds, or even small gatherings.
Then there are the food concerns. It's astonishing how careless we are with food.
When neutropenic, food must be cooked to a minimum of 140 degrees. And forget about salad bars, delis, bakeries, or help yourself bins at the local market - they are popular hangouts for the bacterial world.
Here's a partial list of foods to avoid when neutropenic: - Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Dried fruit
- Raw or undercooked meats
- Sushi
- Runny yolks or Soft cooked eggs
- Salad bars
- Fresh fruit bars
- Deli meats
- Unpasteurized items such as milk, yogurt, cheese, apple cider, or soft molded cheeses (e.g. brie, Camembert, Roquefort, Gorgonzola, feta, Bleu)
- Well water (unless boiled prior to use)
- Eggnog
- Soft-serve ice cream
- Popcorn
- Filled donuts and pastries
- Uncooked or raw nuts
- Unpasteurized honey
- Fresh spices
Despite all the precautions, neutropenic fever is often unavoidable. Even if Adam or any of the other patients were to live in a bubble, like John Travolta in the 1976 movie, there would be no guarantee of making it through neutropenia without a fever. 90% of the time, the bacteria that puts chemotherapy patients and other people with compromised immune systems in the hospital, comes from their own bodies. Bacteria exists in and on our bodies 24-7 but our immune system keeps them at bay. As soon as you don't have a great immune system, the bacteria come out to play.
Luckily for Adam, neutropenia is a short term condition.Once his levels rise, the world can become normal. The world is friendly again.
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REMINDER Saturday, January 30th Adam's Eve - Music Benefit for Adam
The Fugitives, Tommy Keys and more will be performing at Vail Leavitt Music Hall as a fundraiser for Adam. Plan to join us on Saturday, January 30, at 7:00 pm for an evening of great music, food, amazing auctions and fun.
Tickets are $40 each, with all proceeds to be used to support Adam's expenses during treatment. To purchase tickets, please visit adamlamson.com or save the processing fees and mail a check to:
Adam Lamson
9 Fordham Road
Shoreham, NY 11786
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Upcoming events, view past newsletters, and a page to leave messages.
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Adam Contact Information
Cell: (631) 312-4057
Email: lamsoa@rpi.edu
Address:
Adam Lamson
430 No Sea Mecox
Southampton, NY 11968
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If
you have a story to share or pictures, please email them to Kim for
inclusion in Adam's newsletter. We'd love to include them in future
emails.
Email text and/or photos to: kim@sparkbusinesssolutions.com
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