Severe Neutropenia: An Explanation

I found this on a website and wanted to share it with you so that we all can have a better understanding of what is going on with Brooke:

"Neutropenia is a condition that happens when the level of neutrophils in the blood drop below 1000/cmm (per cubic millimeter). Neutrophils are blood cells that are produced in the marrow, or core of the bones. The blood normally contains 2500 to 9900 neutrophils/cmm. Neutrophils are very important because they fight infection. When bacteria invade the body a chemical signal is sent out and the neutrophils, like fire fighters responding to a blaze, rush to the site of infection. The bone marrow also responds by speeding up its production of neutrophils to replace those involved in fighting the infection. If, however, production of new neutrophils is suppressed or slowed down, a shortage may develop, and any infection can overwhelm the few neutrophils available. Therefore, a person with only a few neutrophils is at particular risk for developing a serious bacterial infection. Severe chronic neutropenia is the condition where the bone marrow doesn't produce neutrophils in the blood above the 500/cmm level (on a continuing or recurrent basis, or in cycles, lasting for months or years), resulting in not enough neutrophils to fight infection.

Infections are a serious problem for all patients with neutropenia. Neupogen is a medication that helps the bone marrow to work better, helping the marrow to produce neutrophils. Once on Neupogen congenital patients and idiopathic patients neutrophil counts generally rise into the normal range. On Neupogen cyclic patients neutrophil counts still cycle, however, the goal of treatment is to raise the lowest absolute neutrophil count (ANC) in the cycle so that the person does not develop an infection. The most common side effect with Neupogen is bone pain when the person starts Neupogen. The bone pain generally resolves within the first two months."
Source: http://depts.washington.edu/registry/Hints.pdf

Neupogen is the "GCSF" shot Dr. Libby has mentioned to us several times. He briefly talked about it again today but said it is costly and most insurance companies won't pay for it until a diagnosis is in place; therefore, we must wait. Why must health issues and necessary treatments always be dictated by insurance companies? I'm ready to try anything that will make Brooke perk up!