Biohazard Goody Bag

On Thursday, I went for my first injection of Neupogen, which is the substance that will enable me to produce the cells they will collect on Monday. I knew all along that I would receive a shot of this a day for five days. What I didn't realize was that it is actually 3 shots per day and that they hurt! Needles aren't such a problem, but it stings the whole way in. The pain is over quickly and then it's fine but not since I was a kid have I had so many shots and winced at each one.

Today, the visiting nurse will come to my office and give me the next round of shots. As an added bonus, I get to carry around the kit for her. I've nicknamed it my biohazard goody bag. And you can see why... I'm also storing the Neupogen in the fridge in what looks like a big blue baby diaper. I hope no one gets curious and tries to heat it up for lunch. So far the shots don't hurt after they go in, although I am told that by tomorrow I will feel as though I've had a really tough day at the gym and will be sore. The nurse advised me to stick to Extra Strength Tylenol (since Advil or aspirin would thin the blood and they don't want that) but that if it really hurts they could give me Percocet. I'm really hoping the pain doesn't get to that level.

I'm really excited for Monday and hope that all goes smoothly.