No Chemo today due to low blood

joeline12
joeline12 Member Posts: 53
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
hi all,
my dad suppose to have his 2nd cycle of chemo today but after blood test due to low blood (accordingly to him). he unable to do his chemo and have to wait next week to see how again. is it normal? will it affect his treatment by miss one of his cycle? what happen if he miss again next week? so sad!!!

Comments

  • Jimbo55
    Jimbo55 Member Posts: 590 Member
    #2
    Low Blood Counts
    It is normal for chemo treatments to be delayed/scrapped due to low blood counts, which are monitored quite closely by the med staff. Chemo can affect the production of blood cells in the bone marrow, resulting in the low blood counts. When the blood count gets back closer to normal, they will resume the chemo treatments. A number of folks who post here have experienced a delay in getting a chemo treatment, some have had their final chemo treatment cancelled.

    Certainly, it would be better to not deviate from the original schedule of treatments because of low blood counts, but a delay of a week or the cancellation of the final treatment does not necessarily mean the treatment will not be successful. Hoping this is just a temporary delay for your dad. Stay strong. Cheers.

    Jimbo
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #3
    Normal
    As Jimbo said it doesn't happen a lot overall, but it does happen. Immediately before each chemo session (at least with me) that same morning, they would do blood draw and lab, just for the reason you give. To make sure your blood counts are at a place allowing to receive the chemo.

    If too low, they'll usually wait a week and possible prescribe some meds inbetween to boost the counts.

    On my nine week (three week cycles), they'd inject me with Neulasta the week after to boost blood cell regenration within the bone marrow. My potassium dropped once also, didn't keep me from the chemo session, but the prescribed potassium from 10 days if I remember correctly.

    I did and so can you (or your father) a hardcopy of each blood work. It's a good tracking measure to monitor the effects of the chemo start to finish...I have all of mine 20+.

    It took nearly eight months post treatment for all of my coumts to come back into normal range.

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

    Normal
    As Jimbo said it doesn't happen a lot overall, but it does happen. Immediately before each chemo session (at least with me) that same morning, they would do blood draw and lab, just for the reason you give. To make sure your blood counts are at a place allowing to receive the chemo.

    If too low, they'll usually wait a week and possible prescribe some meds inbetween to boost the counts.

    On my nine week (three week cycles), they'd inject me with Neulasta the week after to boost blood cell regenration within the bone marrow. My potassium dropped once also, didn't keep me from the chemo session, but the prescribed potassium from 10 days if I remember correctly.

    I did and so can you (or your father) a hardcopy of each blood work. It's a good tracking measure to monitor the effects of the chemo start to finish...I have all of mine 20+.

    It took nearly eight months post treatment for all of my coumts to come back into normal range.

    Best,
    John

    it happened to me too
    Low blood counts and sent home with my tail between my legs. I was really bummed out about how effective the treatment would be. Lots of worry for nothing as it has little effect on the overall treatment. They will get it in when the counts come back up. So please just forget it as it is just a minor glitch and it will be fine. Don't worry over this one!
  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    #5
    ratface said:

    it happened to me too
    Low blood counts and sent home with my tail between my legs. I was really bummed out about how effective the treatment would be. Lots of worry for nothing as it has little effect on the overall treatment. They will get it in when the counts come back up. So please just forget it as it is just a minor glitch and it will be fine. Don't worry over this one!

    Happened to me twice
    Not a bad thing...actually shows the chemo is working - but maybe a little to hard. :>)

    Agree with Ratface.
  • joeline12
    joeline12 Member Posts: 53
    #6
    Greend said:

    Happened to me twice
    Not a bad thing...actually shows the chemo is working - but maybe a little to hard. :>)

    Agree with Ratface.

    but......
    thanks guy

    i alway have a great feeling that my dad will pass all his chemo treatment without fail after seeing him still strong physically and in his 1st battle which the med are more strong, he manage to finish it without fail but after yesterday all my mood and confidence seem dumpen. so kinda of worry :(
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #7
    joeline12 said:

    but......
    thanks guy

    i alway have a great feeling that my dad will pass all his chemo treatment without fail after seeing him still strong physically and in his 1st battle which the med are more strong, he manage to finish it without fail but after yesterday all my mood and confidence seem dumpen. so kinda of worry :(

    Everyone is Different
    It's not that uncommon....they'll get him through it...stay positive and help him with his mental strength.

    JG
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #8
    joeline12 said:

    but......
    thanks guy

    i alway have a great feeling that my dad will pass all his chemo treatment without fail after seeing him still strong physically and in his 1st battle which the med are more strong, he manage to finish it without fail but after yesterday all my mood and confidence seem dumpen. so kinda of worry :(

    Know How You Feel
    I was beside myself when one of my scheduled chemo sessions got nixed because of my blood counts. I felt like I needed every sheduled session, and when one got scrapped, it decreased my chances at survival. I was depressed.

    Well - got clean scans in April (even being short-changed on the chemo)- just saying.
  • nwasen
    nwasen Member Posts: 235 Member
    #9
    low blood;
    I had that happen too during the course of my chemo and they added one on at the end! They don't like for you to miss one but sometimes can't be helped.
  • joeline12
    joeline12 Member Posts: 53
    #10
    nwasen said:

    low blood;
    I had that happen too during the course of my chemo and they added one on at the end! They don't like for you to miss one but sometimes can't be helped.

    manage to have it today
    after one week of waiting, blood level become normal and today my dad is able to get his chemo done
    phew!!!
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #11
    joeline12 said:

    manage to have it today
    after one week of waiting, blood level become normal and today my dad is able to get his chemo done
    phew!!!

    Cool Deal
    It's not that uncommon and might happen again....now you're better prepared if it does.

    Best,
    John

Discussion Boards