Janet
I spent almost five months being neutropenic as a result of extremely strong and aggressive chemotheraphy in treatment of two forms of lymphoma. During these months I was hospitalized 13 times due to fever of 101. Semi-isolation was required, all flowers removed, very limited visitors (any threat of sickness/symptoms blackballed visitation), complete bed rest, IV antibiotics, and administration of "growth" cells in attempt to build acceptable white blood cell count. Even when not fully neutropenic had very limited visitors and outings. I didn't go into a store, attend meetings, or most normal occurrences until some resistance restored in immune system. My outings were restricted to driving my mother to store and sitting in car "watching" people! Often I would just get out and drive - anything to stave off cabin fever. You've got to respect the neutropenia--it doesn't take but one exposure to any illness to do you in - permanently. I was told a common cold could kill me. As immune system slowly stabilizes take care to continue awareness - a little extra caution will pay off in the end. After many miserable months I was finally able to begin returning to "normal" life.