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How often are treatments cancelled due to problems with patient's blood count?
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Jun 25, 2009 - 3:19 pm
Something was screwy with my husband's blood count (sorry I don't know what it was) and his chemo treatment for today was cancelled. He has only had 2 chemo treatments! How could his counts be so affected already? The staff at his oncologist's office were very serious cautioning him to not be around anyone sick, to keep taking his temperature, etc. Does this happen often? What can he do to get his blood count back in check? Is it only to take a break from the chemo? Thanks for any help. |
Joined: Apr 2009
Postponing chemo due to low blood counts is very common. Cisplatin and other chemo's drive down your white blood cells and red blood cells, they also rough up your kidneys real bad. The blood cells will respond as will the kidney function by staying really hydrated. The doctor tells you to watch your temperature as your immune system is compromised whilst the chemo is running through your body. Don't be alarmed just get the fluid down and follow the doc's advice.
Joined: Sep 2006
I concur with denis. The counts most likely affected are white blood cell counts and platelets. The white blood cell counts (WBC) can be adjusted rather quickly by receiving a shot of neupogen. Platelets, on the other hand, as far as I know from personal experience, require that you simply build them back up.
Denis' advice re hydration is instrumental regardless. The staff's advice is also spot on. While we are undergoing treatment, regardless of counts, but especially when they are low, we are much more susceptible to illness, infection. I managed to end up in the ER twice as a result of being pricked by rose bushes, of all things! (Okay, I started it by trying to snip them, but