Neulasta Helps Planetary Pilgrims to Have Well Protected White Blood Cells

Yesterday, on my first day after chemo, I had an injection of neulasta. This is an amazing drug that helps breast cancer patients to cope with the damage to white blood cells due to chemotherapy. Chemo works by killing fast-growing cancer cells. Because chemo can't tell the difference between healthy fast-growing and unhealthy fast-growing, a potential side effect is damage to red and white blood cells.This would put me at risk of infections and delays in chemo treatments, which we would not want!

The cost of  this amazing drug is astronomical. We were told that the cost per injection is $2,300., and I will have to have a total of eight treatments. Here again, I have to state my sense of appreciation for the health care services we enjoy in this country.  Thank you, Ontario! And thank God for drug benefit plans, right? It makes one wonder what it is that makes politicians in places like the U.S. not get it!

I feel well. No side effects yet, a lovely daughter, frequent calls from a son in California. The most amazing support from church and other friends. And David, always David! 

Today we're going for a Mother's day mother-daughter pedicure. And we went for coffee with our family friend Barbara. Phone calls from great friends, and looking to setting up a calendar for visiting with a few friends during chemo. Can't wait till I see Wayne, who said he'd be "honoured" to go with me. The way I figure it, chemo does not have to be boring. A pain, inconvenient, maybe? Yes, perhaps, but boring when you have friends? No way!

Eight years ago today I was crossing Puente La Reina, on my pilgrimage to Santiago. Puente la Reina is a five arch bridge over the River Arga. It was endowed in the 12th century, by the Queen whose name was Dona Mayor, as a benefit to pilgrims, and for her soul. 


Puente La Reina was a delightful town, and I much enoyed being there, catching up on my emails, and on my pilgrimage blog. I read a bit of that old blog today. What a different geography this present pilgrimage is, yet how inspiring and hopeful both have been!

Now, I must be going, but we'll see each other around, on the way to wonderful Santiago.