Chemo postponed, platelets not showing up for the party

okthen
okthen Member Posts: 232
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Jacks chemo was postponed today...
Doc said his platelets were too low, they were in the 70's, last check pre chemo #2(2wks) they were in the 90's.

Scheduled to go back 12/1. Doc said he did not look like the same man he met 4 weeks ago and he felt Jack needed a break, when we start up again he will adjust the 5FU down.

Jack was happy, of course, he wants a breather. He is doing too much, packing and loading boxes, taking them to storage etc...he looks very tired. He won't listen to me, we are going to hire movers and they will have nothing to move...the man drives me crazy sometimes. (but I still luv him (o:)

Anyway...I remember Craig posting some info on platelets, but can't remember exactly what...I of course want him to be able to LIVE through this so I have no arguments, just worried I guess...worried that this will be an ongoing problem for him, and treatments will drag on...

I noticed he was really irritating me when we were waiting to see the Doc. Tried to figure out what my issue was when I realized that it was him. haha

He turned into a grumpy butt the minute we hit the door. My heart broke...here I am looking forward to crossing another treatment off the list.. not even thinking about how hard it must be to get back in that chair.... just when he's feeling better. )0:
Will keep check on my reactions to his mood...he deserves to be grumpy if he wants.

So, no reports this week about side effects, can report that his cold sensitivity lasts about 3 days after disconnect, I would say mild compared to other reports I've read.
He still is not having diarrhea, more constipation during his pump days. The butt burn was the worst of it all this last treatment, not sure how we will try and prepare for that next time. Mouth sores that we treated with "swizzle" and Doc/Onc told him to take multi-vitamin with folic acid, that it would clear it up,,,it did.

If there was gonna be a break it was a good time I guess. Our 16th anniversary is Dec 3 and we are going to try and get away for 2 days the weekend after Thanksgiving. We used to do that once a month...boy have times changed. We miss each other even though we're in the same room most of the time. I just pray that he'll feel good, well, GREAT actually. (o:
Hugs and Support to you all!
Chriss

Comments

  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #2
    Chriss
    It just drove home to me. Wow. How much I ignore my hubby on my chemo visits, I ask him not to go, he insists. I felt that these are downer moments, and I don't want to share downer moments with him.
    My house is full of boxes, where once the dining room table stood are boxes on boxes. I spent my time ridding myself of my "earth bound" momento's, and the boxes are things that are his memories, his belongings. And then I get the news I might not die? Crap, what am I supposed to do with all these boxes of stuff?? I was manic about packing, manic about giving things to whom I wanted to have my "stuff", things I thought would mean something to them.
    Chriss, we just get weirded out at times. It just happens. We don't mean to close you out, if anything, it's a wondering why you don't understand our need to tidy up our lives, a need to make things easier for YOU.
    Your post just helped me immensely, here I am, wondering why my hubby isn't standing there packing beside me, and now I realize, it's because he expected me to live all along, he couldn't deal with the thought of my saying goodbye (poor man, so NOT leaving), so I did my crazy arsed packing and heck, still trying to figure out what to do with the boxes of stuff now. (realization: don't need it now, why do we need it later?)
    Your one heck of a woman to put up with it, just like mine (just realized thanks to you, puts up with my oddities lately).
    I hope you have a good anniversary and I swear by cottonelle's flushable moist wipes, sooothingClean Aloe&E wipes for the sore bum!!!
    Love at you hun,
    Winter Marie
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #3
    Oh!! Duh
    Your post was about postponing chemo due to low platlets, I had that for two months, sweetest two months of my life, I enjoyed the break, maybe he does too.
    Winter Marie
  • LOUSWIFT
    LOUSWIFT Member Posts: 371 Member
    #4
    Platelets
    I had my 3rd treatment of folfox and my platelets were down to 44,000. Doc said he wouldn't be real worried until 20,000 because of internal bleeding. I have heard that treatments still occur when down to 10,000. I have my 4th treatment coming in a week and I am not looking forward to it. Unlike prior treatments I have not recovered. I still feel sick and it wasn't until 7 days after being disconnected that the cold sensitivity went away from my hands. I don't want a delay. I have made up my mind that I am only going to do 8 not 12 regardless. My daughter flew up from Florida. She hadn't seen me since I started chemo and she told me to stop. She thought the chemo was killing me and it might be I guess. My wife is often the victim of my illness. I'm glad you understand! Chemo seems to take away the energy you need to fight cancer. Take Care Lou
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #5
    Platelet Counts
    Hi Chriss

    For platelets, most reputable oncs will not administer Folfox when your counts get into the 80's - it just becomes too risky. With every cycle the counts can drop significantly this so they err on the side of caution - which is what you should do with your husband.

    My counts while on Folfox literally were cut in half each cycle as I continued to decline. I did my last cycle at 88,000 and the next bloodwork showed me at 44,000 and it had taken me a couple of months to build back to that 88 only to have it cut down. So we called it a day before we called it something else.

    Which brings me to the other point. Once the platelet levels drop, it can begin to take longer and longer for the platelet levels too rise high enough to have the chemo. That was my problem too, we ended up back in up nearly 2 months in between cycles - and this is not an effective way to get the chemo - they want to bombard every 2 weeks or so, not every 2 months, so this will be something to watch.

    And yes, if platelet levels get into the 20's you can have internal bleeding just sitting up in a chair and there will be no medical personnel who can do anything to stop it, and that's a fact.

    I worry about LOUSWIFT - his onc has different ideas on how he handles his patients and he may be right or wrong, but we're talking about a person's life and sometimes you have to err on the side of caution - and live to fight on another day.

    Jack with his 70's reading, already has my attention this instant - it will be interesting to see how high his count goes to.

    My oncs are all over me right now and my current counts are in the mid 80's - I told them that is normal for me, but I would never qualify again for Folfox, so far Folfiri has been ok with platelets, but I'm always watching it.

    Just be vigilant and question always.

    -Craig
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #6
    Chriss
    I haven't had delays due to platelets; just low neutrophils. The first time it happeneed I stood there dumfounded; like "are you sure? this is me. check those numbers again please!". I do try to enjoy the extra time off, but at the same time I sort of get myself psychologically ready when I am going for chemo. I am glad you will be celebrating your anniversary in such a nice way.
  • okthen
    okthen Member Posts: 232
    #7
    herdizziness said:

    Chriss
    It just drove home to me. Wow. How much I ignore my hubby on my chemo visits, I ask him not to go, he insists. I felt that these are downer moments, and I don't want to share downer moments with him.
    My house is full of boxes, where once the dining room table stood are boxes on boxes. I spent my time ridding myself of my "earth bound" momento's, and the boxes are things that are his memories, his belongings. And then I get the news I might not die? Crap, what am I supposed to do with all these boxes of stuff?? I was manic about packing, manic about giving things to whom I wanted to have my "stuff", things I thought would mean something to them.
    Chriss, we just get weirded out at times. It just happens. We don't mean to close you out, if anything, it's a wondering why you don't understand our need to tidy up our lives, a need to make things easier for YOU.
    Your post just helped me immensely, here I am, wondering why my hubby isn't standing there packing beside me, and now I realize, it's because he expected me to live all along, he couldn't deal with the thought of my saying goodbye (poor man, so NOT leaving), so I did my crazy arsed packing and heck, still trying to figure out what to do with the boxes of stuff now. (realization: don't need it now, why do we need it later?)
    Your one heck of a woman to put up with it, just like mine (just realized thanks to you, puts up with my oddities lately).
    I hope you have a good anniversary and I swear by cottonelle's flushable moist wipes, sooothingClean Aloe&E wipes for the sore bum!!!
    Love at you hun,
    Winter Marie

    Wow, Marie, thanks! I feel
    Wow, Marie, thanks! I feel good that something I said made sense to someone other than me! lol (o:
    We have tried the wipes, but not the cottonelle, they are now on the grocery list, thanks for the tip!!
    Take care,
    Chriss
  • okthen
    okthen Member Posts: 232
    #8
    LOUSWIFT said:

    Platelets
    I had my 3rd treatment of folfox and my platelets were down to 44,000. Doc said he wouldn't be real worried until 20,000 because of internal bleeding. I have heard that treatments still occur when down to 10,000. I have my 4th treatment coming in a week and I am not looking forward to it. Unlike prior treatments I have not recovered. I still feel sick and it wasn't until 7 days after being disconnected that the cold sensitivity went away from my hands. I don't want a delay. I have made up my mind that I am only going to do 8 not 12 regardless. My daughter flew up from Florida. She hadn't seen me since I started chemo and she told me to stop. She thought the chemo was killing me and it might be I guess. My wife is often the victim of my illness. I'm glad you understand! Chemo seems to take away the energy you need to fight cancer. Take Care Lou

    Hang in there Lou! All the
    Hang in there Lou! All the info I get here is so important and you're a HUGE contributor to that!
    Chriss
  • Lori-S
    Lori-S Member Posts: 1,277 Member
    #9
    LOUSWIFT said:

    Platelets
    I had my 3rd treatment of folfox and my platelets were down to 44,000. Doc said he wouldn't be real worried until 20,000 because of internal bleeding. I have heard that treatments still occur when down to 10,000. I have my 4th treatment coming in a week and I am not looking forward to it. Unlike prior treatments I have not recovered. I still feel sick and it wasn't until 7 days after being disconnected that the cold sensitivity went away from my hands. I don't want a delay. I have made up my mind that I am only going to do 8 not 12 regardless. My daughter flew up from Florida. She hadn't seen me since I started chemo and she told me to stop. She thought the chemo was killing me and it might be I guess. My wife is often the victim of my illness. I'm glad you understand! Chemo seems to take away the energy you need to fight cancer. Take Care Lou

    I'm sorry Lou
    That you are having such a rough time with this FOLFOX. It's a mean mother ....shut your mouth (ooops my age is showing ... remember that from the soundtrack of Shaft?). Hang in there and I'll be sending out some good vibes to you. I worry bout you Lou. Make sure you take care to get plenty of rest, hydration and nutrition as best you can. I should probably practice what I preach. HUGS
  • okthen
    okthen Member Posts: 232
    #10
    Sundanceh said:

    Platelet Counts
    Hi Chriss

    For platelets, most reputable oncs will not administer Folfox when your counts get into the 80's - it just becomes too risky. With every cycle the counts can drop significantly this so they err on the side of caution - which is what you should do with your husband.

    My counts while on Folfox literally were cut in half each cycle as I continued to decline. I did my last cycle at 88,000 and the next bloodwork showed me at 44,000 and it had taken me a couple of months to build back to that 88 only to have it cut down. So we called it a day before we called it something else.

    Which brings me to the other point. Once the platelet levels drop, it can begin to take longer and longer for the platelet levels too rise high enough to have the chemo. That was my problem too, we ended up back in up nearly 2 months in between cycles - and this is not an effective way to get the chemo - they want to bombard every 2 weeks or so, not every 2 months, so this will be something to watch.

    And yes, if platelet levels get into the 20's you can have internal bleeding just sitting up in a chair and there will be no medical personnel who can do anything to stop it, and that's a fact.

    I worry about LOUSWIFT - his onc has different ideas on how he handles his patients and he may be right or wrong, but we're talking about a person's life and sometimes you have to err on the side of caution - and live to fight on another day.

    Jack with his 70's reading, already has my attention this instant - it will be interesting to see how high his count goes to.

    My oncs are all over me right now and my current counts are in the mid 80's - I told them that is normal for me, but I would never qualify again for Folfox, so far Folfiri has been ok with platelets, but I'm always watching it.

    Just be vigilant and question always.

    -Craig

    Thanks Craig! I appreciate
    Thanks Craig! I appreciate you reposting this for me!
    Jacks doing better today... I think...as long as I can get him to rest when he feels tired I usually feel good about the day.
    Most mornings while we have our coffee I tell him about my "conversations" here. He really appreciates ya'lls help and wanted me to relay that to you all. Your help for him, and for me. (o:

    Chriss

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