Second the epogen. I’m taking both Procrit and Neupogen after dropping treatment for two weeks. They are horribly expensive at retail, which makes me thankful for my insurance. Outside the US Amgen’s patents have not fared so well and generic versions are available (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythropoietin). A weekly injection has kept my red cell counts comfortably normal, where only a few weeks ago I was flirting with HBC (?) levels of 8 and approaching 7.

One cautionary note — don’t try to extend yourself in the gym when you’re anemic. My heart was pounding constantly and I was ever short of breath. Being a runner, I did not think the world was about to end just because my heart was beating and I was breathing. But then I learned about Left ventricular hypertrophy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_ventricular_hypertrophy) which can result in permanent exercise intolerance.

Keep fighting the fight!