Neutrophils count

Wannabeatit

My neutrophil count is .6 on Friday and doing chemo on Monday. The doctor said previous it needed to be at 1. My WBC is 1.8 and Lynphocyes is .9 all are red flagged. Does anyone know if they did the treatment with numbers red flagged? I don’t want to delay my treatment with the radiation following. Any options I can discuss with the doctor? 

 

oldbeauty

You should insist on labs being redone on Monday before your treatment. They can do the labs on a "Stat" basis.  I was told neutrophil counts can rebound quickly because they are cells that live only a few days anyway.  They likely will re-do the labs without your asking because I don't believe the doctor will release the order for the drugs unless your ABS Neutrophil count is at least 1.  I've proceeded with chemo with flagged counts, but it depends on which ones they are.  Neutrophils are one of the biggies.  Perhaps "google" what foods are good for increasing your neutrophil count and do your best with nutrition over the weekend.  If your count doesn't rebound, they likely will want to give you a bone marrow booster drug, or wait a week. Best wishes, Oldbeauty

Wannabeatit

Thanks Oldbeauty. So glad I

Thanks Oldbeauty. So glad I posted this. You have given me great information. I will try the fruits and veggies and hope the count is better on Monday. I feel better just knowing what might happen. I love this discussion board!

Northwoodsgirl

Counts

Excellent suggestion to get labs done day of chemo. The oncologist typically looks at your labs right before your scheduled chemo. They don’ t want to delay chemo infusion but as we know if one’s counts are too low it can be dangerous to give you chemo. Trust your oncologist ‘s judgement on your labs. They know when they can fudge a bit and still give your infusion. Good luck! I can relate- my last chemo in the protoco they almost didn’ t give me but I begged since it was Christmas and I so desperately wanted to complete my treatment in December of 2009. 

Lori

NoTimeForCancer

I was told if there was a

I was told if there was a problem getting the chemo done, it would be on the back side. (the last three chemo since I had 3 chemo, the radiation, and then the last 3 chemo)

For chemo #5 my numbers weren't good, but they said they would retest it the morning of chemo.  They popped way up to good and I got #5 done.  Numbers were bad prior to #6 and I was asked if I wanted to reschedule.  I said it popped up the last time so I was sure it would do it again.  They weren't sure and, unfortunately, it didn't pop up that day and I had to wait another week.  

It is very hard.  I think we can understand the wanting to get it done.  Not sure if you had had the opportunity to meet with a dietician, but maybe you can ask for recommendations on what, if anything would help.  (I was told 'push the protein' but what did that mean?)

I hope your numbers pop up in time for that chemo.  

 

Wannabeatit

Northwoodsgirl said:

Counts

Excellent suggestion to get labs done day of chemo. The oncologist typically looks at your labs right before your scheduled chemo. They don’ t want to delay chemo infusion but as we know if one’s counts are too low it can be dangerous to give you chemo. Trust your oncologist ‘s judgement on your labs. They know when they can fudge a bit and still give your infusion. Good luck! I can relate- my last chemo in the protoco they almost didn’ t give me but I begged since it was Christmas and I so desperately wanted to complete my treatment in December of 2009. 

Lori

Thanks Lori. I am hoping they

Thanks Lori. I am hoping they retest on Monday morning also. I feel so good so it is a little frustrating since it’s only going to be my 3rd treatment but I must go with the flow.

 

Wannabeatit

NoTimeForCancer said:

I was told if there was a

I was told if there was a problem getting the chemo done, it would be on the back side. (the last three chemo since I had 3 chemo, the radiation, and then the last 3 chemo)

For chemo #5 my numbers weren't good, but they said they would retest it the morning of chemo.  They popped way up to good and I got #5 done.  Numbers were bad prior to #6 and I was asked if I wanted to reschedule.  I said it popped up the last time so I was sure it would do it again.  They weren't sure and, unfortunately, it didn't pop up that day and I had to wait another week.  

It is very hard.  I think we can understand the wanting to get it done.  Not sure if you had had the opportunity to meet with a dietician, but maybe you can ask for recommendations on what, if anything would help.  (I was told 'push the protein' but what did that mean?)

I hope your numbers pop up in time for that chemo.  

 

Thanks for the info

Thanks for the info NoTimeForCancer.

Glad to hear they might pop up before Monday. I have to go to another town to get it done and the roads are snowy with a mountain pass. I’ll have to go way further for the radiation. It’s a bad time of year to be doing this. I haven’t got a dietitian but have some good advise on here and the internet. Hoping that will help boost the numbers.

Wannabeatit

They redid my blood work this

They redid my blood work this morning and my neutrophil count went from .6 on Fri to 1.6. I did eat a lot of salmon over 4 days. Not sure if that had an impact or other factors. My chemo was a go. I am back on track and half way there with the chemo. Now for a little radiation ...

oldbeauty

glad

Glad it worked out for you.  It's nice to experience the body going right for you.  Best wishes, Oldbeauty

Northwoodsgirl

Oh happy day!

That is such great news! You are a trooper to eat all that salmon!! No matter what your body delivered to keep you on track. Keep on keeping on! Keep us posted on how your radiation is going. Feels great to be one day closer to be done with your treatment plan. 

Lori

NoTimeForCancer

Wannabeatit said:

They redid my blood work this

They redid my blood work this morning and my neutrophil count went from .6 on Fri to 1.6. I did eat a lot of salmon over 4 days. Not sure if that had an impact or other factors. My chemo was a go. I am back on track and half way there with the chemo. Now for a little radiation ...

Glad to hear the popped up. 

Glad to hear the popped up.  Are you getting more chemo AFTER the radiation?  Again, I was told that is when it would be more difficult - and it makes sense.  They are radiating your pelvis and that is where a lot of bone marrow is.  Since the bone marrow is where the blood cells are made...it makes sense.  

I will pass along what my dietician said.  "Push the protein".  What was meant by that was to get 7 - 9 servings of protein a day.  An egg = 1 serving.  A chicken breast (depending on size) 3 oz = 3 servings.  Yogurt counted, nuts, cheese...you get the idea.  It was still hard for me to eat that much but I forced myself to keep on track as much as possible.  

Edited:  I should say that is what I did, an as I mentioned somewhere else, I still had problems with my numbers.  I know the ladies here have their own eating habits and this wouldn't be for everyone.  Sorry, I should have added this before.

Wannabeatit

NoTimeForCancer said:

Glad to hear the popped up. 

Glad to hear the popped up.  Are you getting more chemo AFTER the radiation?  Again, I was told that is when it would be more difficult - and it makes sense.  They are radiating your pelvis and that is where a lot of bone marrow is.  Since the bone marrow is where the blood cells are made...it makes sense.  

I will pass along what my dietician said.  "Push the protein".  What was meant by that was to get 7 - 9 servings of protein a day.  An egg = 1 serving.  A chicken breast (depending on size) 3 oz = 3 servings.  Yogurt counted, nuts, cheese...you get the idea.  It was still hard for me to eat that much but I forced myself to keep on track as much as possible.  

Edited:  I should say that is what I did, an as I mentioned somewhere else, I still had problems with my numbers.  I know the ladies here have their own eating habits and this wouldn't be for everyone.  Sorry, I should have added this before.

Thanks for the protein

Thanks for the protein suggestions. Yes I have three more chemos after the radiation. 

Wannabeatit

oldbeauty said:

glad

Glad it worked out for you.  It's nice to experience the body going right for you.  Best wishes, Oldbeauty

Thank you OldBeauty. Yes I

Thank you OldBeauty. Yes I feel a lot better know that I am not having to push appointments further back.

Wannabeatit

Northwoodsgirl said:

Oh happy day!

That is such great news! You are a trooper to eat all that salmon!! No matter what your body delivered to keep you on track. Keep on keeping on! Keep us posted on how your radiation is going. Feels great to be one day closer to be done with your treatment plan. 

Lori

Yes I feel better now that I

Yes I feel better now that I am half way through the chemo. So far things have been pretty good.