Low Blood Count Question

Pumakitty
Pumakitty Member Posts: 652
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
My dad was not able to take his chemo this Friday, because his blood count was 64 and the doctor said it needed to be at least 74. Is this something to really worry about. The nurses sais it is normal after 4 rounds and he just needed to get some exercise.

Did this happen to any of you and should I be worried. he has 3 more rounds to go.

Pumakitty

Comments

  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    #2
    Don't worry
    This is really quite common and has happened to a lot of us. My counts were down and they thought they would have to postpone one of my chemo sessions but fortunately my count was back up before treatment. Please, don't worry, his counts will be back up soon.

    My best to you and your dad, Glenna
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #3
    Blood Counts
    Are you talking the platlets, when you say 74? Usually your RBC and WBC are more in the ranges around 4.0, platelets are around 130+ (normal range), mine dropped to 92 I think at the lowest (started at 202)..

    Is he getting injections of Neulasta? When I was getting the higher doses of chemo, I was getting Neulast injections, which help WBC and platlet production I beleive.

    I received chemo at first on a nine week schedule (three week cycles). That second week I'd get the Neulasta injections.

    During the concurrent chemo/radiation, I was on a seven week schedule. Chemo every week during that time, but no Neulasta.

    The injections are expensive (in the $3,000 - $5,000 range each injection). You get kind of achy a few days following also. Your bones just hurt kind of like the flu, but that goes away in a few days.

    John
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #4
    Skiffin16 said:

    Blood Counts
    Are you talking the platlets, when you say 74? Usually your RBC and WBC are more in the ranges around 4.0, platelets are around 130+ (normal range), mine dropped to 92 I think at the lowest (started at 202)..

    Is he getting injections of Neulasta? When I was getting the higher doses of chemo, I was getting Neulast injections, which help WBC and platlet production I beleive.

    I received chemo at first on a nine week schedule (three week cycles). That second week I'd get the Neulasta injections.

    During the concurrent chemo/radiation, I was on a seven week schedule. Chemo every week during that time, but no Neulasta.

    The injections are expensive (in the $3,000 - $5,000 range each injection). You get kind of achy a few days following also. Your bones just hurt kind of like the flu, but that goes away in a few days.

    John

    It's normal, don't worry
    I was sent home after reporting for my second dose/round of Cisplatin on a Friday totally devestated and depressed over the episode. Tuned out by Monday all my counts were back up and I got my second chemo. Totally normal and common and will not impair treatment. Enjoy a couple days off that awful poison.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #5
    Agreed
    Agreed, it's not out of the norm, and only a delay usually....
  • Pumakitty
    Pumakitty Member Posts: 652
    #6
    Thank you guys
    My dad always feels better when I tell him you said it was normal.
  • MGC
    MGC Member Posts: 72 Member
    #7
    Blood Counts
    My second chemo (cisplatin) was postponed over 2 weeks because of my blood counts and my third chemo was completely eliminated because of side effects and borderline blood counts even after 3 1/2 weeks, so i wouldn`t be to alarmed.

    Good Luck

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