Red Blood Count

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cindyruggs
cindyruggs Member Posts: 24
in Esophageal Cancer #1
My husband is continuing his chemotherapy, just completed round 6. Still remains very positive and continues to work most days. After receiving several blood transfusions initially, his Red Blood count has continued to remain around 10, until lately. It is slowly going down again. Today is was 8.2 so the doctor suggested another shot (already receives Neulasta following every round)has now added Arnasept. Came home and did some research, very scary. Many, many articles say that it is linked to increase tumor growth and shorter life expectancy. Does anyone have any experience with this drug? I know all drugs have side effects but this sounds really scary. The doctor said with stage IV as advanced as my husbands he will need some form of chemotherapy for the rest of his life. I can't imagine doing this for months and months? It has been 5 months since diagnosis and we still feel like we are living a nightmare that we never wake up from. His prognosis is so grim yet he still seems himself, goes to work, eats normally, etc. It seems inconceivable that he is this ill? I don't want a new drug to do more harm than good?

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  • sangora
    sangora Member Posts: 213
    #2
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    Drug Problems
    I too am a Stage IV and was Dx. almost 2 years ago. I have been cycling one chemo drug or another most of time for the exception of short "chemo holidays". In two years, I am getting my second holiday now. As is the case with your husband, the only thing keeping me going is the chemo drugs. Unfortunately,that's the way it is. As far as the Arnasep goes I haven't had a red blood cell problem yet, but do take Neulasta every 21 days. I have been lucky with the red cell issue so far. Also, as you may have realized with his chemo, everyone doesn't have all the problems that are listed on the educational sheets. According to everything I read about Neulasta, I was expecting my spleen to rupture (that has been an issue with some), was expecting debilitating pain in my long bones ( had a little of this the first 2 rounds but nothing debilitating) and so on. I still have my spleen and I am still walking. As time goes on and I continue to be stable, I have begun to view EC as a chronic illness as opposed to a deadly disease that is ruining my life. If your husband remains stable this attitude will begin to seep into your minds. It has too or you can't keep going. I know that I am going to loose this battle someday but until that day comes, I am living everyday that comes and finding joy in the world around me. Sam Stage IV

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