Chemo on Hold/Concerned

Options
lagwag
lagwag Member Posts: 76 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
My Mom was scheduled to have her 4th chemo treatment today, but after her counts were taken that decided to cancel todays treatment. Her platelets were 91, they said they should be between 150-400. Is this a normal reaction because of chemo. My concern is that if they delay her chemo her cancer can continue to spead. Any comments or suggestions much appreciated.

Thank you - Liz

Comments

  • mom_2_3
    mom_2_3 Member Posts: 953 Member
    #2
    Options
    Liz
    Liz,

    It is not uncommon for chemo patients to have treatments on hold due to low counts. When I went for my second Folfox treatment I was told my counts were low and I would not be able to get treatment. I was devastated because I thought the cancer would spread faster. My doctor reassured me that it would not do that in that short delay. She prescribed Neupogen shots for me and I had my treatment the following week. Neupogen shots increase production of blood cells and another variant of this is Neulasta. Neopogen is a series of three shots over three days and I was able to give them to myself. Once I started this I would give myself the shots every 2 weeks before treatment. Neulasta is a single shot done at clinic.

    Don't go crazy with worry over this. Very few people go for treatments on an exact every 2-week schedule. Holidays, vacations and other things can all impact your mom's schedule. I would be asking, however, what the doctor's plan is for getting her counts up prior to her next treatment.

    Good thoughts,
    Amy
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #3
    Options
    mom_2_3 said:

    Liz
    Liz,

    It is not uncommon for chemo patients to have treatments on hold due to low counts. When I went for my second Folfox treatment I was told my counts were low and I would not be able to get treatment. I was devastated because I thought the cancer would spread faster. My doctor reassured me that it would not do that in that short delay. She prescribed Neupogen shots for me and I had my treatment the following week. Neupogen shots increase production of blood cells and another variant of this is Neulasta. Neopogen is a series of three shots over three days and I was able to give them to myself. Once I started this I would give myself the shots every 2 weeks before treatment. Neulasta is a single shot done at clinic.

    Don't go crazy with worry over this. Very few people go for treatments on an exact every 2-week schedule. Holidays, vacations and other things can all impact your mom's schedule. I would be asking, however, what the doctor's plan is for getting her counts up prior to her next treatment.

    Good thoughts,
    Amy

    It's okay
    I had a month delay so I missed two scheduled treatments. She will be fine. Give Mom a hug! \


    Hugs!
  • Lori-S
    Lori-S Member Posts: 1,277 Member
    #4
    Options
    Liz
    Drops in the blood counts are quite common and usually the reason for delays in chemo treatments. Out of 7 treatments I had 3 delays because of my platelets being low. 91 is not bad. Mine got down into the 30's and 40's. The doc would let me have my treatments if they came up to 100. Relax, a week is usually all it takes for them to come back up on their own and that short of a delay will be OK. And if there is a decrease in blood counts one time, it will usually happen again during treatment. Don't worry so much about it. Neupogen and neulesta are usually used to increase white blood cell counts ... just another blood count that sometimes comes down with chemo. And there is no at-home, "natural" way to increase platelets so you just have to relax and wait for them to do it on their own. It doesn't usually take too long. HUGS to you and Mom.
  • luvmum
    luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
    #5
    Options
    my mum never has her chemo on time
    Hi Liz,

    I hope my mum's case will give you some hope. Ever since my mum started her chemo treatment (26 Nov 2010), she has never had any chemo on time. After the first chemo, she had severe diarrhea and was in the hospital for 9 days. She supposed to have 2nd chemo on 16 Dec and in the end, she had it on 3rd Jan 2011. After 2nd chemo, she supposed to have 3rd one on 25 Jan, but she was in the hospital again from diarrhea. Therefore she only had her 3rd chemo on 11 Feb. With all these delays, her CEA has been dropping and the PET scan on 22 Feb showed significant improvement. She supposed to have her 4th chemo on 25th Feb but we were seeking 2nd and 3rd opinions for the possibilities of liver resection, in the end, she will have her 4th chemo on 8th March.

    I know your concern and worries because I have been through this since her first treatment on 26 Nov till I know her PET scan was positive on 25 Feb. Three month worries and I have lost as many pounds as my mum lost even though I'm not on any treatments!

    Best wishes to you and your mum. I hope your mum will do very well!!!
    Dora

    p.s. Chinese doctors usually suggest CA patients to drink 'peanut shell' water during chemo to boost platelet count. My friend's mum is also drinking this and her platelet count never drops below the required range.

Discussion Boards