Build up Platlets

believer23
believer23 Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
You have all been so helpful since I have joined this group, I can't begin to thank you all and just visitng this site gives me hope.
Again, I have a question - can anything be done to build up the platlets? Today when my mom went for her treatment it was denied because her count was 82,000 and it needs to be 100,000. This would have been treatment #7 (12 total)- this has happened once before. She dreads going for the chemo but wants to get it completed and move on - Is it normal to be denied chemo treatments due to a low platlet count? Does it mean the chemo is not working?
I can't tolerate her oncolgist - no matter
what our concerns are he and his staff always act like it is nothing to be concerned about.
Again, please know how much I appeciate all your wise words and you are all in my prayers.
Safe Travels,
believer23

Comments

  • khl8
    khl8 Member Posts: 807
    Welcome to the wonderful
    Welcome to the wonderful world of Chemo! I had this happen to me 3 out of the 9 treatments. I was only delayed a week for 2 of them and then delayed 2 weeks for one. I remember when I started I had the completion date circled on the calander, and of course the reality is that the calender goes right out the window. I was so depressed over it, but we have no choice but to trudge on and before you know it, the last treatment will be here and you and she can rejoice! No it does not mean it is not working, it is working so well it is killing all the good cells too!
    Kathy
  • betina61
    betina61 Member Posts: 642 Member
    Don't worry
    Chemo is working, same thing happened to me twice around tx.7 they delayed me for 3 0r 4 days and I started getting Neulasta, the Dr. decided to reduce my chemo by 20% and I could finished my 12 cycles, I even asked him that I wanted to receive 2 more cycles to make up for the % reduction and he told me "if that makes you feel better I could do it but you don't need it" and i decided to trust my oncologist.
  • vhtqm1
    vhtqm1 Member Posts: 107
    plateletts low almost a foregone conclusion
    if there's something i read about getting repeated and repeated is low platelett count during treatment which in turn can delay treatment. i've had several times where plateletts are to low. in every case i've delayed a week and the platelett level came back up so treatment could resume. if plateletts get too low you may find your Mom getting a transfusion? i've not had that happen but others have. hope this eases your mind?

    ed
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    Procrit for hemoglobin
    I just had a Procrit shot for the first time a week and a half ago because my platelets dropped too low. I get my chemo every two weeks, but I get my blood drawn every week. A week after I had chemo is when I then had my blood checked in the onc office. They have me wait for my lab results before I leave & normally all is fine. I was surprised last time when I was told my hemoglobin was too low and I'd need a Procrit shot. It did the trick, as when I went back a week later for my chemo, everything was ok to go again.

    Lisa