Cycle 6 Day 1

Today, I went back to Dana Farber with my fingers crossed that my neutrophils had recovered enough to resume my treatment protocol. My cold has improved a lot, so I was hopeful. Last week I received a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) injection to boost my neutrophils, so when I saw my neutrophil count from today's blood draw, my heart sank. Here is the graph:

Neutrophils (Manual)

As you can see, the injection didn't help much. The count went up from 31 to 37, still well below 48, the lower limit of the normal range. I expected them to send me home again, but the Care Team decided to start me on Cycle 6 today anyway! Yay!

In addition to receiving my normal dexamethasone, Mezigdomide, and Daratumumab doses, I also got another IV infusion of gamma globulin (IVIg) and another GCSF injection. I'll continue to get the IVIg infusions monthly. 

This is the last bi-weekly cycle of this clinical trial. After this cycle, I will get my Daratumumab injection at Dana Farber monthly rather than bi-weekly. I will still take the Mezigdomide and dexamethasone pills at home on the same schedule as now. 

My next appointments are scheduled for May 10 and May 23, followed by June 21. It would be great if this schedule holds up. I am planning my Canadian Rockies train trip and a visit to Brian in California from June 3 to June 18, which fits into this treatment schedule nicely.

It's all good!