Five weeks since my last chemo------counts still a rollercoaster ride

hopeful girl 1
hopeful girl 1 Member Posts: 454
edited March 2014 in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
Friends,

Hi there.

Well, today I went for my weekly bloodtest. This is my 5th wweek since my 6th final chemo, and my counts are still struggling to return.

Good news, platelets went up from 34,000 to 84,000. So that was a good jump in a week.

However, on the downside hemoglobin dropped and white and neutrophils dropped as well. My neutrophils are back down to 700 again. Last week they were 1300.

I am trying not to get discouraged........I am done with chemo which is good, but I would like to be able to live more normally, but really can't with counts this low.

My doc will release my restrictions when white and platelets come up to more normal level.

Can I look to my friends here for some encouraging words today? What can I do to help these counts go up?

On a lighter note, I had some help getting my Christmas tree up this week-end and so that was very peaceful to enjoy with the lights turned down low and just the tree lights on.
Love that.

Thank you,
Cindy

Comments

  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    #2
    Hi Cindy:
    I don't know how
    Hi Cindy:

    I don't know how to help you with the platelet issue. It was awhile since I had chemo and when I did the nurse told me to have red wine..?? Not that I am suggesting that though and not that I was a wine drinker. Although I did have a glass or two throughout the week. It did calm me down!

    Anyway, I am happy that you got your Christmas tree up. It is really relaxing sitting by your tree with the lights on. We decorate outside. I don't know how it started, but we end up putting out a lot of lights. I even sync some to music. Every year though it gets tougher. This year I wasn't going to do much, but people come to expect. They tell me how it brings them joy. I was feeling really tired this year and thought I would go easy with the lights. But then a woman came to me (who knew what I have been going through) and she says her grandchildren really enjoy the lights and she then told me that every light she sees is a prayer for me! That gave me the energy to put up the rest of the lights!

    So, Cindy, I offer you the same that for all the lights on your tree is a prayer from me! May you not be discouraged and may your white count and platelets normalize again!

    May you find peace and happiness without worrying about bloodtests and the like!

    My best to you.

    Kathy

    ((Hope you feel better!)
  • hopeful girl 1
    hopeful girl 1 Member Posts: 454
    #3
    Kaleena said:

    Hi Cindy:
    I don't know how
    Hi Cindy:

    I don't know how to help you with the platelet issue. It was awhile since I had chemo and when I did the nurse told me to have red wine..?? Not that I am suggesting that though and not that I was a wine drinker. Although I did have a glass or two throughout the week. It did calm me down!

    Anyway, I am happy that you got your Christmas tree up. It is really relaxing sitting by your tree with the lights on. We decorate outside. I don't know how it started, but we end up putting out a lot of lights. I even sync some to music. Every year though it gets tougher. This year I wasn't going to do much, but people come to expect. They tell me how it brings them joy. I was feeling really tired this year and thought I would go easy with the lights. But then a woman came to me (who knew what I have been going through) and she says her grandchildren really enjoy the lights and she then told me that every light she sees is a prayer for me! That gave me the energy to put up the rest of the lights!

    So, Cindy, I offer you the same that for all the lights on your tree is a prayer from me! May you not be discouraged and may your white count and platelets normalize again!

    May you find peace and happiness without worrying about bloodtests and the like!

    My best to you.

    Kathy

    ((Hope you feel better!)

    Every light is a prayer
    Kathy:

    Hi there.

    I really like that, every light is a prayer. I would imagine that was major inspriration to get those lights up!

    Thank you for wishing me the same, all those glimmering lights are prayers for us, and all of us on these boards.

    Peace and healing! :)

    Cindy
  • susafina
    susafina Member Posts: 131
    #4
    hopeful girl 1 said:

    Every light is a prayer
    Kathy:

    Hi there.

    I really like that, every light is a prayer. I would imagine that was major inspriration to get those lights up!

    Thank you for wishing me the same, all those glimmering lights are prayers for us, and all of us on these boards.

    Peace and healing! :)

    Cindy

    Those pesky counts
    Hey Cindy,
    You sound pretty good. I am glad that your platlets are going up in the right direction! The white cells can go up and down depending on their mood as they mature and escape from your bone marrow. In the beginning mine went up and down as well. Not to be concerned though. I was told that they could flucuate for a couple of weeks before they take hold and get back to normal. I just ha my 6th month check up and my hemoglobin is still 9.6. It just won't budge. I still feel tired but my docs still insist that I won't fel better till I hit the one year mark, but like all of us I am not that patient! I am glad you have help with the Christmas tree. You should take it easy and let others help. Now is the time to take advantage of everyone's kindness. Think positive and those pesky counts will follow!
    SUE
  • hopeful girl 1
    hopeful girl 1 Member Posts: 454
    #5
    susafina said:

    Those pesky counts
    Hey Cindy,
    You sound pretty good. I am glad that your platlets are going up in the right direction! The white cells can go up and down depending on their mood as they mature and escape from your bone marrow. In the beginning mine went up and down as well. Not to be concerned though. I was told that they could flucuate for a couple of weeks before they take hold and get back to normal. I just ha my 6th month check up and my hemoglobin is still 9.6. It just won't budge. I still feel tired but my docs still insist that I won't fel better till I hit the one year mark, but like all of us I am not that patient! I am glad you have help with the Christmas tree. You should take it easy and let others help. Now is the time to take advantage of everyone's kindness. Think positive and those pesky counts will follow!
    SUE

    Susafina
    Sue,

    Thanks for the encouragement on the white counts. It is good to know that yours went up and down a bit too, before taking hold and getting back to normal.

    I hope your hemoglobin starts to climb. It seems to like that 9.6 number.

    Yes, we all have to be patient-and that is hard. Afterall, the uterine cancer surgery and treatment process is a long one in itself.

    I agree, we all need to accept help as much as we can thru' treatment and recovery. It was nice to get the tree up-it is so nice to just look at it.

    I have also rented some Christmas movie dvd's this week, to just watch in the evening and chill and relax. And I am doing my shopping online.

    Hugs,
    Cindy

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