Anatomy of blood

So just a brief overview of the components of your blood. There are red blood cells(RBC), white blood cells(WBC), platelets, and something called ANC(absolute neutrophil count) . Each component has its specific purpose, but ANC is especially important because if it drops too low you are considered neutropenic and have no defenses against germs.

Every week we go in for a blood draw and they give us the counts, the nurse calls to confirm the high dose of chemo on Wednesdays. The chemo thus creates an auto immune deficit and the numbers ebb and flow as cells are destroyed...Sometimes RBC can go low and then you need a blood transfusion, which Mattie has had roughly 6 to 10 times...Also, if platelets are low your blood wont clot and also if real low, if you lightly touch someone they will instantly bruise. Mattie has had platelet transfusions as well. They cant transfuse WBC because your body has to create those on its own...