Blood work results

OK so most everyone knows David was unable to do chemo today. I got a copy of his blood work from today. There was more wrong than right.

Low
RBC/Hemoglobin/Hemocrit/Platelet County/Chloride/CO2/GFR

High
WBC/MCH/MCHC/Metamyelocyte/Myelocyte/Reactive Lymp/Monocyte/Plasma Cell/NRBC/Abs. Plasma Cell/Glucose level/BUN/Creatinine/Anion Gap/Calcium

He had to have another dose of Zometa because his calcium level was up again. I have never seen blood work being so all over the board. They took more blood before we left today. I think they are looking at cell markers. We were gone from 8:45 this morning until 6 tonight. I am exhausted.
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Comments

  • ToBeGolden
    ToBeGolden Member Posts: 695
    Sorry ...
    Arlene and I have had our share of all-day outings at the hospital. Hope the two of you can take it easy this evening. I'm so sorry that David's body is not responding well to treatment. I will pray for a turnaround in his condition. Rick.
  • VivianLee5689
    VivianLee5689 Member Posts: 546

    Sorry ...
    Arlene and I have had our share of all-day outings at the hospital. Hope the two of you can take it easy this evening. I'm so sorry that David's body is not responding well to treatment. I will pray for a turnaround in his condition. Rick.

    Thanks Rick
    I am just really frustrated as today we were told that David would most likely not get the 3 Cisplatin treatments because he is finishing week 2 of radiation and there is not evidence that doing the chemo after radiation ends would be effective. Then she said the unthinkable (of course I have had the thought) if he has a recurrence of the cancer we can do chemo again then. I was thinking OMG once is more than enough. I don't want to have to imagine going through this again. It is so hard watching the man I love waste away. He really looks like he is starving now. The doctor's were even concerned by his appearance today. I think we are going to do fluids through the PICC line 7 days a week now. I just hope we can get the blood work back in line.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    Blood & Cell Markers...
    I could be wrong, but I don't think there are any cell markers or cancer indicators blood related for H&N Cancer....least I have never heard of any.

    At my very worse blood test, the majority of everything was low...not many high. Other than when they gave me steroids, and that wacked out my glucose, spiked about 40 points....

    For low blood counts, they gave me an injection of Neulasta the week following each major dose of chemo.

    Hope all starts turning around...

    Best,
    John
  • VivianLee5689
    VivianLee5689 Member Posts: 546
    Skiffin16 said:

    Blood & Cell Markers...
    I could be wrong, but I don't think there are any cell markers or cancer indicators blood related for H&N Cancer....least I have never heard of any.

    At my very worse blood test, the majority of everything was low...not many high. Other than when they gave me steroids, and that wacked out my glucose, spiked about 40 points....

    For low blood counts, they gave me an injection of Neulasta the week following each major dose of chemo.

    Hope all starts turning around...

    Best,
    John

    I am at a loss
    John I talked with my neighbor across the street who is an RN and she was shocked by his blood work as well. I am not sure what they are looking for really. I just read the paperwork that said they were testing for Cell Markers. I know with the hypercalcemia they are concerned about the possibility of spread to the bone and with the some of the other blood work pointing to a possible bone connection. Honestly I was a little afraid to ask, sometimes I really hate being a psychologist because I could see in their faces that they thought something bad was lurking. I guess I am not ready to accept a possible reality without my husband in it. Every once in a while I do think he had this cancer for over three years without treatment. The initial lymph node when it came up three years ago was 3.5 cm. So as much as I don't want this to have spread, reality says it had time to move about his body. I just don't want that to be so.
  • Pumakitty
    Pumakitty Member Posts: 652

    I am at a loss
    John I talked with my neighbor across the street who is an RN and she was shocked by his blood work as well. I am not sure what they are looking for really. I just read the paperwork that said they were testing for Cell Markers. I know with the hypercalcemia they are concerned about the possibility of spread to the bone and with the some of the other blood work pointing to a possible bone connection. Honestly I was a little afraid to ask, sometimes I really hate being a psychologist because I could see in their faces that they thought something bad was lurking. I guess I am not ready to accept a possible reality without my husband in it. Every once in a while I do think he had this cancer for over three years without treatment. The initial lymph node when it came up three years ago was 3.5 cm. So as much as I don't want this to have spread, reality says it had time to move about his body. I just don't want that to be so.

    So sorry
    Vivian,

    I am so sorry you are going through this. I am sending prayers and lots of love your way. I hope that you soon have a bit of good news.


    Kathy
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member

    I am at a loss
    John I talked with my neighbor across the street who is an RN and she was shocked by his blood work as well. I am not sure what they are looking for really. I just read the paperwork that said they were testing for Cell Markers. I know with the hypercalcemia they are concerned about the possibility of spread to the bone and with the some of the other blood work pointing to a possible bone connection. Honestly I was a little afraid to ask, sometimes I really hate being a psychologist because I could see in their faces that they thought something bad was lurking. I guess I am not ready to accept a possible reality without my husband in it. Every once in a while I do think he had this cancer for over three years without treatment. The initial lymph node when it came up three years ago was 3.5 cm. So as much as I don't want this to have spread, reality says it had time to move about his body. I just don't want that to be so.

    Totally Understand...
    Well, at this point nothing has been said.

    So you have my thoughts and prayers that your fears won't come to a reality.

    John
  • patricke
    patricke Member Posts: 570
    Blood work results
    Hey Vivian, I'm sorry to hear about the problems that David is having problems getting his blood component levels stablized, it sounds like you and he had a more than grueling day. I hope that those issues will be able to be resolved soon. Hang in there.

    PATRICK
  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    praying for better days (soon)
    Vivian,

    I am sorry about this extremely whacked out, rough course you and David have been on. As dark as it seems don’t dwell on the negative. David’s body could adapt to this torment and get him through this mess. I have to think there is a good chance for both of you to get through this successfully.

    Keeping the faith,

    Matt
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    Goodness
    Sorry to hear of the disappointing bloodwork report. Treatment is scary and stressfull enough when you have relatively good numbers. Hoping for strength for the both of you. I would think that getting the additional nutrition via PICC will really help.
  • luvofmylif
    luvofmylif Member Posts: 344
    Pam M said:

    Goodness
    Sorry to hear of the disappointing bloodwork report. Treatment is scary and stressfull enough when you have relatively good numbers. Hoping for strength for the both of you. I would think that getting the additional nutrition via PICC will really help.

    Please hang in there. And ,
    Please hang in there. And , as far as the chemo from what the drs have told us it is kind of like the icing on the cake for this type of cancer. They "think" it helps but radiation is the the real killer. My husband has gotten two of three cisplatin treatments and is due for the third next week. But, they may cancel the third due to hearing loss. When I asked the oncologist if they would substitue another drug he said no. So, while I know it is important to get chemo, my feeling is he wouldn't cancel it so nonchalantly if it were absolutely crucial. All, any of us can do is to find a dr we trust and go with their advice. This is their expertise. Oh, and we were told the same thing...chemo is never given after the radiation treatment is over. For instance, his next and last chemo treatment would be done on the last day of his 30 radiation treatments.

    God help us all...and he does.
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member

    I am at a loss
    John I talked with my neighbor across the street who is an RN and she was shocked by his blood work as well. I am not sure what they are looking for really. I just read the paperwork that said they were testing for Cell Markers. I know with the hypercalcemia they are concerned about the possibility of spread to the bone and with the some of the other blood work pointing to a possible bone connection. Honestly I was a little afraid to ask, sometimes I really hate being a psychologist because I could see in their faces that they thought something bad was lurking. I guess I am not ready to accept a possible reality without my husband in it. Every once in a while I do think he had this cancer for over three years without treatment. The initial lymph node when it came up three years ago was 3.5 cm. So as much as I don't want this to have spread, reality says it had time to move about his body. I just don't want that to be so.

    Simple
    for me being a lay person, it is simple

    let them look and check, however it is simple... it's not bad until it is bad

    prayers for wisdom and understanding

    john
  • corleone
    corleone Member Posts: 312 Member

    Please hang in there. And ,
    Please hang in there. And , as far as the chemo from what the drs have told us it is kind of like the icing on the cake for this type of cancer. They "think" it helps but radiation is the the real killer. My husband has gotten two of three cisplatin treatments and is due for the third next week. But, they may cancel the third due to hearing loss. When I asked the oncologist if they would substitue another drug he said no. So, while I know it is important to get chemo, my feeling is he wouldn't cancel it so nonchalantly if it were absolutely crucial. All, any of us can do is to find a dr we trust and go with their advice. This is their expertise. Oh, and we were told the same thing...chemo is never given after the radiation treatment is over. For instance, his next and last chemo treatment would be done on the last day of his 30 radiation treatments.

    God help us all...and he does.

    @luvofmylif
    Not sure what you (or they) mean by “...chemo is never given after the radiation treatment is over.”
    It’s the “never” word that puzzles me. I think this is in reference to the locoregional (i.e. earlier stages 1, 2 maybe even 3) spread. When they expect that the C has a potential to (or already) spread beyond that, there is the adjuvant chemo, like a combined platin-derived and 5FU (there are other regimens, too).
  • VivianLee5689
    VivianLee5689 Member Posts: 546
    corleone said:

    @luvofmylif
    Not sure what you (or they) mean by “...chemo is never given after the radiation treatment is over.”
    It’s the “never” word that puzzles me. I think this is in reference to the locoregional (i.e. earlier stages 1, 2 maybe even 3) spread. When they expect that the C has a potential to (or already) spread beyond that, there is the adjuvant chemo, like a combined platin-derived and 5FU (there are other regimens, too).

    Thanks for your responses
    I feel a bit better today. I was in a very dark place last night. Seeing all the numbers being so off and seeing David looking literally like he is starving to death really got to me. I am not sure what is going to happen, but I just remember back to when the team looked at the mass that was taken out by the previous ENT they all agreed that due to the size and the extracapsilar spread in the neck he really needed the chemo. So it freaked me out when plans changed and now if we are lucky he will get two chemo treatments. The chemotherapy doctor seemed iffy on whether he was going to be well enough at all to withstand the treatments. On the bright side today ends week two of radiation. David seems to be doing ok with that. He is getting very foamy type mucus and when he talks it sometimes sticks in the front of his mouth. Needless to say he only speaks when necessary. His PICC line bled again last night and he is very concerned about that. I am hoping that they are able to get his platelet counts up so that he can stop worrying about bleeding. Again thanks for everyone listening to me whine. I just sometimes get so exhausted physically and emotionally. My body has been hurting alot lately taking on so many of the physical demands of taking care of our house. David really doesn't do any of the work here at home. He doesn't hardly even get up to use the bathroom. I am going to really try to be more positive and just get through the upcoming days one at a time.
  • cureitall66
    cureitall66 Member Posts: 913

    Thanks for your responses
    I feel a bit better today. I was in a very dark place last night. Seeing all the numbers being so off and seeing David looking literally like he is starving to death really got to me. I am not sure what is going to happen, but I just remember back to when the team looked at the mass that was taken out by the previous ENT they all agreed that due to the size and the extracapsilar spread in the neck he really needed the chemo. So it freaked me out when plans changed and now if we are lucky he will get two chemo treatments. The chemotherapy doctor seemed iffy on whether he was going to be well enough at all to withstand the treatments. On the bright side today ends week two of radiation. David seems to be doing ok with that. He is getting very foamy type mucus and when he talks it sometimes sticks in the front of his mouth. Needless to say he only speaks when necessary. His PICC line bled again last night and he is very concerned about that. I am hoping that they are able to get his platelet counts up so that he can stop worrying about bleeding. Again thanks for everyone listening to me whine. I just sometimes get so exhausted physically and emotionally. My body has been hurting alot lately taking on so many of the physical demands of taking care of our house. David really doesn't do any of the work here at home. He doesn't hardly even get up to use the bathroom. I am going to really try to be more positive and just get through the upcoming days one at a time.

    Time...
    You really are holding up as best you can during this time. It will take some time to get through these rough patches. They just don't want to make it any worse for him if they can help it. Trust that they will do everything they can to get him to a cure!
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    WINE....
    Oh, you said whine.....

    Hey, if you can't whine with us, who can you whine to that totally gets it....

    Whine away when ever you need, we're here...

    Best,
    John
  • blackswampboy
    blackswampboy Member Posts: 341

    Thanks for your responses
    I feel a bit better today. I was in a very dark place last night. Seeing all the numbers being so off and seeing David looking literally like he is starving to death really got to me. I am not sure what is going to happen, but I just remember back to when the team looked at the mass that was taken out by the previous ENT they all agreed that due to the size and the extracapsilar spread in the neck he really needed the chemo. So it freaked me out when plans changed and now if we are lucky he will get two chemo treatments. The chemotherapy doctor seemed iffy on whether he was going to be well enough at all to withstand the treatments. On the bright side today ends week two of radiation. David seems to be doing ok with that. He is getting very foamy type mucus and when he talks it sometimes sticks in the front of his mouth. Needless to say he only speaks when necessary. His PICC line bled again last night and he is very concerned about that. I am hoping that they are able to get his platelet counts up so that he can stop worrying about bleeding. Again thanks for everyone listening to me whine. I just sometimes get so exhausted physically and emotionally. My body has been hurting alot lately taking on so many of the physical demands of taking care of our house. David really doesn't do any of the work here at home. He doesn't hardly even get up to use the bathroom. I am going to really try to be more positive and just get through the upcoming days one at a time.

    wow
    ya'll have been through the wringer, and back again.
    you're really overdue for some good results. please keep believing.

    and if I may--forget about spotless house for a little while. my yard went jungle over the summer while I was not up to dealing with it. I barely looked out the window, much less kept up with mowing and weeding. not living in house beautiful right now, but I've got other priorities.

    best wishes!
  • blackswampboy
    blackswampboy Member Posts: 341

    Please hang in there. And ,
    Please hang in there. And , as far as the chemo from what the drs have told us it is kind of like the icing on the cake for this type of cancer. They "think" it helps but radiation is the the real killer. My husband has gotten two of three cisplatin treatments and is due for the third next week. But, they may cancel the third due to hearing loss. When I asked the oncologist if they would substitue another drug he said no. So, while I know it is important to get chemo, my feeling is he wouldn't cancel it so nonchalantly if it were absolutely crucial. All, any of us can do is to find a dr we trust and go with their advice. This is their expertise. Oh, and we were told the same thing...chemo is never given after the radiation treatment is over. For instance, his next and last chemo treatment would be done on the last day of his 30 radiation treatments.

    God help us all...and he does.

    protocols
    @luvofmylif:
    technically speaking...I had final chemo infusion after radiation had already ended, and that was planned. it was three days later, I believe.
    so yeah, it depends on the protocol.
  • luvofmylif
    luvofmylif Member Posts: 344
    corleone said:

    @luvofmylif
    Not sure what you (or they) mean by “...chemo is never given after the radiation treatment is over.”
    It’s the “never” word that puzzles me. I think this is in reference to the locoregional (i.e. earlier stages 1, 2 maybe even 3) spread. When they expect that the C has a potential to (or already) spread beyond that, there is the adjuvant chemo, like a combined platin-derived and 5FU (there are other regimens, too).

    If it is given in
    If it is given in conjunction with the radiation then it is given only during the radiation schedule. NOw, if someone has metatstatic SCC then chemo is used for that treatment.
  • luvofmylif
    luvofmylif Member Posts: 344

    protocols
    @luvofmylif:
    technically speaking...I had final chemo infusion after radiation had already ended, and that was planned. it was three days later, I believe.
    so yeah, it depends on the protocol.

    Oh, ok I see what you mean.
    Oh, ok I see what you mean. there are different protocols . This is all kind of confusing really.
  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716

    protocols
    @luvofmylif:
    technically speaking...I had final chemo infusion after radiation had already ended, and that was planned. it was three days later, I believe.
    so yeah, it depends on the protocol.

    From the beginning I knew I was going to have at least
    6 chemo treatments...three in conjunction with radiation....and 3 after rads were over...the first three were Cisplatin only...the last three were Cisplatin, then 4 days of a fanny pack with 5FU. I did not have any mestatisis...

    p