ANC 28%, No chemo,

WinneyPooh
WinneyPooh Member Posts: 318
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi, yall
How worried should I be?
I have crazy met growth and spreading, mostly i look and feel great, only complaints are more tired, and neck and back pain,

On a side note, had a great art show wt hubby and been hard at work trying to fill orders.


question 2. Anyone else have advice on how to tell spouse things with out him getting sad and worried about everything, ( i tend to not let things get to me, you know everythings going to be ok attitude, ( outword appearance positive, i don't want to scare anyone).

Good night all
Oh good movie, Leap year just released on video
Live, Love, Play
Winnie

Comments

  • sfmarie
    sfmarie Member Posts: 602
    #2
    ANC
    I am not familiar with this term, but no chemo sounds as if you have run out of the standard chemo options? Have you looked into clinical trials? Could you possible try to get into the one that is being fast tracked by the FDA?

    I do not know what to say. I think this crazy cancer stinks and there are no words other than keep on fighting! There is nothing wrong with talking about the sad parts. Sometimes it is hard for someone to want to share things, and while that person may be sad, in the end, they may also be glad you were able to open up and talk about things.

    Sending positive thoughts your way.

    Marie
  • WinneyPooh
    WinneyPooh Member Posts: 318
    #3
    sfmarie said:

    ANC
    I am not familiar with this term, but no chemo sounds as if you have run out of the standard chemo options? Have you looked into clinical trials? Could you possible try to get into the one that is being fast tracked by the FDA?

    I do not know what to say. I think this crazy cancer stinks and there are no words other than keep on fighting! There is nothing wrong with talking about the sad parts. Sometimes it is hard for someone to want to share things, and while that person may be sad, in the end, they may also be glad you were able to open up and talk about things.

    Sending positive thoughts your way.

    Marie

    ANC, actual neutrophils count
    Marie,
    ANC is Actual neutrophils count, this is a conponant of your white blood cell count, suppose to be around 68% of your white blood cell count, anything below 5000 is low white blood cells, mine was 1500 when i went to the doctors, and my ANC is was 28%. which put me in high risk of infection, so they did not give me my chemo,
    I am reschedualed for next week to see if it is up, and try again.

    I didnt mean No chemo, for ever? sorry for the confusion,

    I was just wondering about what others had experienced cancerning this?

    Thanks
    Winnie
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    #4
    Winney
    As a caregiver, I am going to answer question #2. Tell him what you know. Of course you don't want us sad and worried but sad and worried is what we are. As caregiver, we love our spouse/sigifant other so very much and your journey is our journey, your cancer is our cancer, your good news is our good news and your bad news is our bad news. If the news is not so good, we want to know that so we can give you all the love, hugs and tears you need to bring some level of comfort and also so you know you are not alone. We know you are scared and worried and sometimes (my opinion) having some loving arms around you is just the ticket you need.

    I pulled out George's latest blood test and don't see ANC. I see every other initial in the alphabet but not that one. Maybe that would be a good discussion topic, put all those initials out there. I researched some of them in the past and could not figure it out.

    Take care Tina
  • patsy1954
    patsy1954 Member Posts: 85
    #5
    WinneyPooh said:

    ANC, actual neutrophils count
    Marie,
    ANC is Actual neutrophils count, this is a conponant of your white blood cell count, suppose to be around 68% of your white blood cell count, anything below 5000 is low white blood cells, mine was 1500 when i went to the doctors, and my ANC is was 28%. which put me in high risk of infection, so they did not give me my chemo,
    I am reschedualed for next week to see if it is up, and try again.

    I didnt mean No chemo, for ever? sorry for the confusion,

    I was just wondering about what others had experienced cancerning this?

    Thanks
    Winnie

    ANC
    I have had my ANC go down to .5 with white count of 2.3. Lousy numbers, held off chemo for one round and started getting neulasta. All is well since then, only missed that one dose. Can't get Neulasta anymore since I am now on chemo every week, but so far so good.

    It is hard to keep a positive face with your spouse, but I finally gave up trying to fool him and let it go when I feel down and out. He prefers me to be honest, because guess what, after 34 yrs he knows when I am depressed before I even know! I could not be on this journey without his support and love and I let him know that and I think that helps.

    Stay positive!!

    Pat
  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #6
    geotina said:

    Winney
    As a caregiver, I am going to answer question #2. Tell him what you know. Of course you don't want us sad and worried but sad and worried is what we are. As caregiver, we love our spouse/sigifant other so very much and your journey is our journey, your cancer is our cancer, your good news is our good news and your bad news is our bad news. If the news is not so good, we want to know that so we can give you all the love, hugs and tears you need to bring some level of comfort and also so you know you are not alone. We know you are scared and worried and sometimes (my opinion) having some loving arms around you is just the ticket you need.

    I pulled out George's latest blood test and don't see ANC. I see every other initial in the alphabet but not that one. Maybe that would be a good discussion topic, put all those initials out there. I researched some of them in the past and could not figure it out.

    Take care Tina

    Tina: ANC may show under "Neut#", which is how my report
    shows it (just loooked after reading all of above. Its one of firsrt items listed (at least on my CBC report)...assuming thats the same number Winnie is referring to....

    Dear Winnie:
    As for how to let spouse/caregiver know whats going on---he has to be told some way or another, which will be up to you to decide. Originally, I did not tell girlfriend I was Dxedwith CRC but I figured as soon as I went to a cancer center she'd figure it out so I had to figure out how to inform her to minimize her freaking out.In any event,,I'm sure you'll do what you need to do......
    .steve
  • LOUSWIFT
    LOUSWIFT Member Posts: 371 Member
    #7
    WinneyPooh said:

    ANC, actual neutrophils count
    Marie,
    ANC is Actual neutrophils count, this is a conponant of your white blood cell count, suppose to be around 68% of your white blood cell count, anything below 5000 is low white blood cells, mine was 1500 when i went to the doctors, and my ANC is was 28%. which put me in high risk of infection, so they did not give me my chemo,
    I am reschedualed for next week to see if it is up, and try again.

    I didnt mean No chemo, for ever? sorry for the confusion,

    I was just wondering about what others had experienced cancerning this?

    Thanks
    Winnie

    white blood cells
    After radiation I have a permanent low white cell count all three cell types. ANC is the most common infection fighter. I was told the range for ANC is 1500 to 8000 to be normal. I don't fault your ONC for being cautious. Its been a while I could be wrong. Lou
  • robinvan
    robinvan Member Posts: 1,012
    #8
    Hey Pooh-bear
    "question 2. Anyone else have advice on how to tell spouse things with out him getting sad and worried about everything, ( i tend to not let things get to me, you know everything's going to be ok attitude, (outward appearance positive, i don't want to scare anyone"

    How much does he know? or How much does he Not know?

    Your spouse is a part of this with you. In sickness and in health... I would advise being honest with the facts of your situation. He needs to be able to deal with it in his own way. Yes, this will include periods of sorrow and worry. Let him be authentic with his feelings. With your positive attitude you will help him to cope. He needs to know Winnie. My hunch is you already know that.

    We often try to keep a positive "outward face" on things. We naturally want to spare our loved ones the burden of sorrow and worry. But there are times we need to be authentic with our feelings too. In an intimate relationship we can be honest about our "inward face" and trust that our loved one can handle it.

    I find telling my family one of the hardest things to do. When I was first diagnosed I was hospitalized so my wife Pam had to do all that tough stuff. But when it comes to your spouse... you'll have to do the hard work.

    I know I'm sounding like "Dear Abby" here so I'll shut up now!

    I hope your WBC count recovers enough for you to get back on the treatment plan. In the meantime enjoy the chemo holiday!

    TTFN... Tigger; in Vancouver
  • WinneyPooh
    WinneyPooh Member Posts: 318
    #9
    robinvan said:

    Hey Pooh-bear
    "question 2. Anyone else have advice on how to tell spouse things with out him getting sad and worried about everything, ( i tend to not let things get to me, you know everything's going to be ok attitude, (outward appearance positive, i don't want to scare anyone"

    How much does he know? or How much does he Not know?

    Your spouse is a part of this with you. In sickness and in health... I would advise being honest with the facts of your situation. He needs to be able to deal with it in his own way. Yes, this will include periods of sorrow and worry. Let him be authentic with his feelings. With your positive attitude you will help him to cope. He needs to know Winnie. My hunch is you already know that.

    We often try to keep a positive "outward face" on things. We naturally want to spare our loved ones the burden of sorrow and worry. But there are times we need to be authentic with our feelings too. In an intimate relationship we can be honest about our "inward face" and trust that our loved one can handle it.

    I find telling my family one of the hardest things to do. When I was first diagnosed I was hospitalized so my wife Pam had to do all that tough stuff. But when it comes to your spouse... you'll have to do the hard work.

    I know I'm sounding like "Dear Abby" here so I'll shut up now!

    I hope your WBC count recovers enough for you to get back on the treatment plan. In the meantime enjoy the chemo holiday!

    TTFN... Tigger; in Vancouver

    Thanks, Robin
    Pooh-bear is what my dad usta call me,

    My husband knows my condition, but I go to my appointments alone cause i want to hear the news first and then put my own spin on it before i let him and others know, He is on kidney dialysis,He says he can't live without me and i promsed him that i would out live him ( even if i had to hold a pillow over his face as i died so we go at the same time).

    Every little bump scares him. If i leave the room and he does not see me for more then the expected time he's scarred, if I want to drive to Atlanta alone he's scarred, So if i have bad news about my treatment it is like, the worst news ever, I had his doctor put him on anti anxiety med. I am still waiting for them to work.

    I am his caregiver, Me eventhough I am also sick, (i really don't show it really prefer to take care of my self)

    Now as far as a chemo holiday,
    I am enjoying the hell out of ice cream!!!! And honey too.

    Lots of love to all
    Winnie

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