Minor Setback - Chemo. Session Postponed

missbabsonmars
missbabsonmars Member Posts: 29
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
I was supposed to get my 6th chemo. treatment tomorrow; however, due to my low Neutrophils auto count of .9, I had to reschedule the tx to next Wednesday, by which hopefully it will have gone up to a minimum of 1.1. Chemo can significantly decrease your WBC, and there is a risk for infection (sepsis) with low wbc. I started crying, which is a big deal because i am NOT a cryer. I've been sailing along with a positive attitude deluxe but have crashed hard the last few days.

Comments

  • california_artist
    california_artist Member Posts: 816 Member
    #2
    Babs
    So sad. My lower lip is pouting for your sad feelings.

    Feel free to email me anytime

    claudiaallen27@yahoo.com

    Just put cancer board in the subject or else I won't open it.

    warm smushy hugs,

    Claudia
  • Rewriter
    Rewriter Member Posts: 493 Member
    #3
    Babs
    After my fourth chemo session, I had major trouble keep my blood counts within normal range. I think I had two postponed sessions, and I remember sobbing when my oncologist told me I couldn't have my scheduled treatment. When I joined this message board, I discovered that postponed chemo sessions are a fairly common occurrence. Try not to despair; you should be fine by next week. Good luck!

    Jill
  • upsofloating
    upsofloating Member Posts: 466 Member
    #4
    Sorry to hear chemo session
    Sorry to hear chemo session was a 'no go' - when we are set to go with a treatment to benefit us, it's hard not to be upset. It got to be a way of life for me last year - I only made one full cycle of my reduced dose Gemzar all of last year and after recent restart. But it never gets any easier, I feel like they are denying me treatment. Actually, they are just making sure I'm around to keep getting it. This past month when i only made 1 of my 3/month, it was especially scary. Hopefully counts will be back on track for next week. Was this to be your last treatment? If so, that makes it even harder. If you just need 1.1 you should make it. For my 2nd line chemo I have to have 1.5.
    Annie
  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    #5
    Babs,
    Sorry to hear about
    Babs,

    Sorry to hear about your setback, but every now and then we all need a good cry. So don't feel bad about that. We deal with so much and you do everything we need to do and then something as a week delay can send us over the top. But then tomorrow comes and we get back into our positive mode. Hang in there, kid. You can do it. Those darn neutrophils will get back in range so that you can finish your treatment.

    Sending you hugs (((Babs))

    Kathy
  • HellieC
    HellieC Member Posts: 524 Member
    #6
    Thinking of you
    So sorry to hear you have had to postpone a chemo session. But hopefully your bloods will be back up and it can go ahead next week. When I had my 6 sessions of carbo/taxol, I deliberately rescheduled one around Christmas, so I would be OK for the festivities. At the time, the oncologist said that a one week delay wouldn't make any difference to the efficacy, so please don't worry. Tears? Yes, I've been there too! I'm not a "crier" either, but sometimes the emotions of this "cancer thing" just overwhelm you and you have to let it out! At first, I felt that I was "giving in" to it, but then I realised that my body just needed to have a good wail - and I felt so much better afterwards!
    Kindest thoughts
    Helen
  • missbabsonmars
    missbabsonmars Member Posts: 29
    #7
    Courageous women - thank you
    Courageous women - thank you all SO much. You give me the strength to carry on because you've been there and understand. I am so grateful for Dr. Abrams, the oncologist I see at UCSF Osher Center for Integrated Medicine. When I e-mailed him about the delay in treatment, like you all he assured me that this is very common. He also suggested that I make a decision not to worry unless he told me I needed to. I was astonished at this bit of advice because I have said the same thing to people I sponsor in AA. Hey, Good advice! I think I'll take it.

    These last couple of days I have let my brain takeover and be flooded with negative thoughts. I'm turning it all over today to the powers of the universe and i am going to do my best to get back on track mentally because all this negativity is not helpful in any way, shape, or form. My husband took the day off, so we could take the kayak to the river.

    My chemo. session is scheduled for next Wednesday. In reviewing my lab stats. for the past six months, it seems likely that my blood counts will increase by that time.
  • missbabsonmars
    missbabsonmars Member Posts: 29
    #8
    THANK YOU
    Courageous women - thank you all SO much. You give me the strength to carry on because you've been there and understand. I am so grateful for Dr. Abrams, the oncologist I see at UCSF Osher Center for Integrated Medicine. When I e-mailed him about the delay in treatment, like you all he assured me that this is very common. He also suggested that I make a decision not to worry unless he told me I needed to. I was astonished at this bit of advice because I have said the same thing to people I sponsor in AA. Hey, Good advice! I think I'll take it.

    These last couple of days I have let my brain takeover and be flooded with negative thoughts. I'm turning it all over today to the powers of the universe and i am going to do my best to get back on track mentally because all this negativity is not helpful in any way, shape, or form. My husband took the day off, so we could take the kayak to the river.

    My chemo. session is scheduled for next Wednesday. In reviewing my lab stats. for the past six months, it seems likely that my blood counts will increase by that time.
  • Rookerbird
    Rookerbird Member Posts: 100
    #9
    missbabsonmars said:

    Courageous women - thank you
    Courageous women - thank you all SO much. You give me the strength to carry on because you've been there and understand. I am so grateful for Dr. Abrams, the oncologist I see at UCSF Osher Center for Integrated Medicine. When I e-mailed him about the delay in treatment, like you all he assured me that this is very common. He also suggested that I make a decision not to worry unless he told me I needed to. I was astonished at this bit of advice because I have said the same thing to people I sponsor in AA. Hey, Good advice! I think I'll take it.

    These last couple of days I have let my brain takeover and be flooded with negative thoughts. I'm turning it all over today to the powers of the universe and i am going to do my best to get back on track mentally because all this negativity is not helpful in any way, shape, or form. My husband took the day off, so we could take the kayak to the river.

    My chemo. session is scheduled for next Wednesday. In reviewing my lab stats. for the past six months, it seems likely that my blood counts will increase by that time.

    Love what your doctor told
    Love what your doctor told you! "He also suggested that I make a decision not to worry unless he told me I needed to."
  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    #10
    missbabsonmars said:

    THANK YOU
    Courageous women - thank you all SO much. You give me the strength to carry on because you've been there and understand. I am so grateful for Dr. Abrams, the oncologist I see at UCSF Osher Center for Integrated Medicine. When I e-mailed him about the delay in treatment, like you all he assured me that this is very common. He also suggested that I make a decision not to worry unless he told me I needed to. I was astonished at this bit of advice because I have said the same thing to people I sponsor in AA. Hey, Good advice! I think I'll take it.

    These last couple of days I have let my brain takeover and be flooded with negative thoughts. I'm turning it all over today to the powers of the universe and i am going to do my best to get back on track mentally because all this negativity is not helpful in any way, shape, or form. My husband took the day off, so we could take the kayak to the river.

    My chemo. session is scheduled for next Wednesday. In reviewing my lab stats. for the past six months, it seems likely that my blood counts will increase by that time.

    Cancer does this to us~
    Dr Abrams has it right .... can happen at at to any of us -- reschedule chemo due to blood counts. This would have happened to me on my last 3 chemo sessions, but my doc suggested a Neulasta shot the day after chemo to keep 'em up....not to miss any. I was lucky as had all mine as scheduled.

    I'm not in treatments now, but can understand your uneasiness, as it happens to me as well. The thoughts that can start moving in our minds, can be like a little pebble today and tomorrow a mountain so big we could never get up it. I agree to turn it over to the universe and get back into the "positive vibes" box.

    Don't be hard on yourself as your body just needs a break...next Wed you'll be right back on track and before you know it, complete all chemo sessions...yeah!

    Hang in there...
    Jan
    ((( hugs )))
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #11
    jazzy1 said:

    Cancer does this to us~
    Dr Abrams has it right .... can happen at at to any of us -- reschedule chemo due to blood counts. This would have happened to me on my last 3 chemo sessions, but my doc suggested a Neulasta shot the day after chemo to keep 'em up....not to miss any. I was lucky as had all mine as scheduled.

    I'm not in treatments now, but can understand your uneasiness, as it happens to me as well. The thoughts that can start moving in our minds, can be like a little pebble today and tomorrow a mountain so big we could never get up it. I agree to turn it over to the universe and get back into the "positive vibes" box.

    Don't be hard on yourself as your body just needs a break...next Wed you'll be right back on track and before you know it, complete all chemo sessions...yeah!

    Hang in there...
    Jan
    ((( hugs )))

    Common
    Hi Babs,

    This also happened to me - I remember my tears. It all worked out well for me and it probably will be same for you.

    Awesome that you have such access (email) to the wisdom of your doc. He's right on - kind of like he is giving you permission to let HIM worry for you. How cool is that - love it. My doc and I have an agreement - he will monitor my ca125 - freeing me of worry!!

    Blessings to you. Mary Ann
  • missbabsonmars
    missbabsonmars Member Posts: 29
    #12
    Darn Neutophil count remains unchanged at .9!
    Dr. prescribing 3 days of neupogen injuections to increase WBC count, so as not to delay chemo tx.

    Have any of you had to do this? I feel like i'm on that medical roller coaster again. Some days just kick my ****! Thank Goddess for family and friends.
  • kkstef
    kkstef Member Posts: 688 Member
    #13
    missbabsonmars said:

    Darn Neutophil count remains unchanged at .9!
    Dr. prescribing 3 days of neupogen injuections to increase WBC count, so as not to delay chemo tx.

    Have any of you had to do this? I feel like i'm on that medical roller coaster again. Some days just kick my ****! Thank Goddess for family and friends.

    Not unusual....
    Babs,

    I struggled with my white counts (and sometimes my platelets) after the 3rd infusion. I took Neulasta 24 hours after each chemo and that didn't do it. Several sessions were delayed a week or two. After treatment 5 my counts would not rebound after 3 weeks and my neuropathy in my feet was getting worse....we ended my treatment at that point....Dr. said he thought my body had had enough and we had to consider quality of life. Initially I was very upset about "not finishing", but I got over it and have done fine for 2 1/2 years.

    Wishing you the very best!

    Karen
  • missbabsonmars
    missbabsonmars Member Posts: 29
    #14
    kkstef said:

    Not unusual....
    Babs,

    I struggled with my white counts (and sometimes my platelets) after the 3rd infusion. I took Neulasta 24 hours after each chemo and that didn't do it. Several sessions were delayed a week or two. After treatment 5 my counts would not rebound after 3 weeks and my neuropathy in my feet was getting worse....we ended my treatment at that point....Dr. said he thought my body had had enough and we had to consider quality of life. Initially I was very upset about "not finishing", but I got over it and have done fine for 2 1/2 years.

    Wishing you the very best!

    Karen

    THANK YOU!
    Oh Karen - thank you SO much for posting this reply to me. I feel better just reading this. You also reminded me to be grateful that I have not had to deal with any neuropathy.

    I will sleep better tonight having heard from you!

    Babs

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