discouraged

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froggy1
froggy1 Member Posts: 205
in Ovarian Cancer #1
After four rounds of carbo/doxil, which didn't work, my Doc switched me to carbo/gemzar(first week carbo/gem., second gem, week off, then start again) I had labs drawn on Friday and my platelet count was 43. They wanted me to go in this week-end for an emergency draw and today my counts were 20, not enough to get a transfusion. as the low number is ten.
I'm really afraid I won't be able to get chemo on 3/7. Ironically my CA125 was down 4, which is a good thing. They also couldn't find a vein. I think I had a week-end fill-in! So, I am bruised all over. I think she blew out the one vein.
I am so hoping I can get a fast rebound. I understand that the platelets just have to come back up themselves(????) I am already getting Neulasta for white count.
Can anybody relate? Thanks, Ginny

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  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #2
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    Ginny... I can definitely
    Ginny... I can definitely relate! It took 6 units of blood to get me thru chemo. I also had injections to build up my hemoglobin ( red count) . Ask your doctor about those.

    Carlene
  • msfanciful
    msfanciful Member Posts: 559
    #3
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    It will get better with the
    It will get better with the right treatment for your condition.

    I had to do the shots, neulasta, etc., to get my counts up.

    Plus you must remember, that the body will do some of the work on it's on, but it takes a little time is all.

    Hang in there and I'll be wishing the best for you.

    Sharon
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #4
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    DON'T BE DISCOURAGED!
    Ginny:
    It does sound like your platelet counts are getting better, which is good. The chemo really hits us hard. As far as the vein situation, try to drink a lot of fluids (mostly water) the day before and day of the chemo. We get dehydrated so easily on these treatments, that we need to replenish often. So the fluids will help them find a vein. Also, I developed 'chemical phlebitis' as my doctor put it, in one arm. So I couldn't have treatments or even blood draws from that side for quite some time. It did get better.

    Sending (((HUGS))) and Prayers to you, Ginny.
    Monika
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #5
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    YES!
    Ginny,
    I never had blood problems until I started Gemzar. I had to delay infusions twice. With low WBC you can get either neulasta which is long acting or neupogen which is faster and shorter acting. There really isn't much you can do for low RBCs. Lots of red meat might help. Gem/Carbo combo is hard on the counts.

    Have you consider having a port placed? I had one placed when I had a recurrence and thank God I did.

    GOOD LUCK!!!!
  • froggy1
    froggy1 Member Posts: 205
    #6
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    nancy591 said:

    YES!
    Ginny,
    I never had blood problems until I started Gemzar. I had to delay infusions twice. With low WBC you can get either neulasta which is long acting or neupogen which is faster and shorter acting. There really isn't much you can do for low RBCs. Lots of red meat might help. Gem/Carbo combo is hard on the counts.

    Have you consider having a port placed? I had one placed when I had a recurrence and thank God I did.

    GOOD LUCK!!!!

    Hi Nancy
    Thanks for the reply. I do have a port. I couldn't exist without it. I got it two weeks after my first surgery. Yesterday, they were "just" trying to get a simple blood draw and didn't want to access the port. This nurse was so inept I was scared to have her access my port! LOL
    I do already get Neulasta. My practice gives it as SOP. My issue right now is the platelet one. I think the only answer to that is a transfusion of platelets(???) I haven't hit 10 yet, which is my Doc's criteria. I don't believe there is a shot for platelets (???)
    I'm wondering how long it takes for platelet rebound(???) I'm now is that weird place of not wanting to miss chemo:)
    Take care, Ginny
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #7
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    froggy1 said:

    Hi Nancy
    Thanks for the reply. I do have a port. I couldn't exist without it. I got it two weeks after my first surgery. Yesterday, they were "just" trying to get a simple blood draw and didn't want to access the port. This nurse was so inept I was scared to have her access my port! LOL
    I do already get Neulasta. My practice gives it as SOP. My issue right now is the platelet one. I think the only answer to that is a transfusion of platelets(???) I haven't hit 10 yet, which is my Doc's criteria. I don't believe there is a shot for platelets (???)
    I'm wondering how long it takes for platelet rebound(???) I'm now is that weird place of not wanting to miss chemo:)
    Take care, Ginny

    I know
    I couldn't get chemo on Friday due to low WBCs. That week I missed will now be considered my week off. Doc is also changing my schedule to 2 weeks on 1 week off instead of 3 on 1 off. I'm a bit bummed about that too. It is nice to have energy though!!!

    It really is distressing when you have to miss chemo. I think everyone feels that way.
  • Rookerbird
    Rookerbird Member Posts: 100
    #8
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    nancy591 said:

    YES!
    Ginny,
    I never had blood problems until I started Gemzar. I had to delay infusions twice. With low WBC you can get either neulasta which is long acting or neupogen which is faster and shorter acting. There really isn't much you can do for low RBCs. Lots of red meat might help. Gem/Carbo combo is hard on the counts.

    Have you consider having a port placed? I had one placed when I had a recurrence and thank God I did.

    GOOD LUCK!!!!

    Low Blood Counts
    When Taxol/Carboplatin trashed my counts, I was given Neupogen for low WBC. (I've had Neulasta too.) My doctor also gave me Aranesp shots for low RBC/hemoglobin. (My platelets never dropped into a zone low enough to require a platelet transfusion.)

    Delays are so hard to handle. Sometimes, it's not just "take it a day at a time" but "take it a minute at a time." Very understandable to feel discouraged...

    I remember 12/21/09, making a "quick stop" for blood labs on my way to Houston for a big family Christmas. Both sons were home from college and waiting with me, our car was packed and loaded with gifts in the hospital parking lot...and my nurse said my counts were too low and I had to stay in Dallas for some shots to boost my counts. WHAAAT?!?!?

    That turned into a "take it minute by minute" day. We worked it out by (1) getting a doctor in Houston to squeeze me in on Dec 22-24 for the shots and lab work, and (2) having the shots dispensed to me on the spot. That was a pain...my nurse had to get the insurance company to agree to dispense them to me (they are quite expensive), it all had to be packed in a special cooler (it has to stay refrigerated), etc.

    Lifting you up today, Ginny!
  • 123missy
    123missy Member Posts: 26
    #9
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    froggy1 said:

    Hi Nancy
    Thanks for the reply. I do have a port. I couldn't exist without it. I got it two weeks after my first surgery. Yesterday, they were "just" trying to get a simple blood draw and didn't want to access the port. This nurse was so inept I was scared to have her access my port! LOL
    I do already get Neulasta. My practice gives it as SOP. My issue right now is the platelet one. I think the only answer to that is a transfusion of platelets(???) I haven't hit 10 yet, which is my Doc's criteria. I don't believe there is a shot for platelets (???)
    I'm wondering how long it takes for platelet rebound(???) I'm now is that weird place of not wanting to miss chemo:)
    Take care, Ginny

    As I understand the port,
    As I understand the port, the only people who are supposed to access it are the chemo nurses. None of the labs I know will do it for blood draws. I wish they would explain that better when they put the port in. I was in the room waiting for a CT scan and one woman was having the vein accessed through her foot. I guess that the other veins were collasped or something. Good luck on getting the count up.
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #10
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    123missy said:

    As I understand the port,
    As I understand the port, the only people who are supposed to access it are the chemo nurses. None of the labs I know will do it for blood draws. I wish they would explain that better when they put the port in. I was in the room waiting for a CT scan and one woman was having the vein accessed through her foot. I guess that the other veins were collasped or something. Good luck on getting the count up.

    They can do a platelet
    They can do a platelet transfusion, if it becomes necessary. I had issues with my platelets, too.

    Regarding the port and blood draws, I have had mine accessed for lab work. I have also had it accessed for TPN feedings and blood transfusions, and in each of those instances, the nurses were not chemo nurses.

    Interestingly enough, they will not use it for blood draws at my infusion center. They have techs who draw the blood, and separate chemo nurses who administer the chemo.

    Carlene
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980
    #11
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    Hissy_Fitz said:

    They can do a platelet
    They can do a platelet transfusion, if it becomes necessary. I had issues with my platelets, too.

    Regarding the port and blood draws, I have had mine accessed for lab work. I have also had it accessed for TPN feedings and blood transfusions, and in each of those instances, the nurses were not chemo nurses.

    Interestingly enough, they will not use it for blood draws at my infusion center. They have techs who draw the blood, and separate chemo nurses who administer the chemo.

    Carlene

    Before ANY blood draw, scan, etc. I get port accessed 1st.
    I always make arrangements to stop into the chemo lounge and get my port accessed when I have to have anything else done in other departments that requires a blood draw. I walk out of the chemo lounge with my port already rigged up, and a big plastic-wrap bubble over it to prevent any contanination as I leave there with the tubing poking out of my chest. It usually involves coming in an extra 15 minutes early, as they fast-track me when i tell them that all I need is to be accessed. My veins are shot from trying to do chemo initially without a port, and now no one ever even tries to get into my veins.
  • 123missy
    123missy Member Posts: 26
    #12
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    Hissy_Fitz said:

    They can do a platelet
    They can do a platelet transfusion, if it becomes necessary. I had issues with my platelets, too.

    Regarding the port and blood draws, I have had mine accessed for lab work. I have also had it accessed for TPN feedings and blood transfusions, and in each of those instances, the nurses were not chemo nurses.

    Interestingly enough, they will not use it for blood draws at my infusion center. They have techs who draw the blood, and separate chemo nurses who administer the chemo.

    Carlene

    Interesting on port draws
    I have not had luck getting blood drawn through port unless am hooked up to port for some other reason (I.E in hospital) I tried at Tri Core and Quest Labs and they look at me like I am crazy. Tri Core says if you want it drawn through the port then make the appt. to get it accessed with the chemo room. Interesting that they all different in their approaches. The port does make the chemo a lot easier.
  • Cafewoman53
    Cafewoman53 Member Posts: 735 Member
    #13
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    123missy said:

    Interesting on port draws
    I have not had luck getting blood drawn through port unless am hooked up to port for some other reason (I.E in hospital) I tried at Tri Core and Quest Labs and they look at me like I am crazy. Tri Core says if you want it drawn through the port then make the appt. to get it accessed with the chemo room. Interesting that they all different in their approaches. The port does make the chemo a lot easier.

    Port
    Only Rn's can access a port and some places only allow nurses trained for that to use them. My daughter is a Rn and can flush mine for me at home when needed.
    Colleen
  • LaundryQueen
    LaundryQueen Member Posts: 676
    #14
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    Cafewoman53 said:

    Port
    Only Rn's can access a port and some places only allow nurses trained for that to use them. My daughter is a Rn and can flush mine for me at home when needed.
    Colleen

    A question about port issue
    I have a Power Port (the kind that can be used for injecting contrast dye).
    I guess not all ports can handle contrast. I was told that it is OK to use it for blood draws but I have had the same problem where the nurse had trouble taking blood from it.

    Also the surgeon put the "tail" end of the port in my neck. I really freaked out when I saw that the tail was looking like a curve instead of being straight! Seems to be fine but it looks odd...like a candy cane.

    Has anyone else had something like that happen?
  • Pythiaschad
    Pythiaschad Member Posts: 22
    #15
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    platelets
    My wife has been battling platelet problems for a while now. So bad that if they try to do a draw from an arm vein it almost always blow. She got a port put in and it makes draws so easy that I almost could do it. Not that I would try. Maybe you should ask about a port for yourself.
  • lulu1010
    lulu1010 Member Posts: 367
    #16
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    123missy said:

    As I understand the port,
    As I understand the port, the only people who are supposed to access it are the chemo nurses. None of the labs I know will do it for blood draws. I wish they would explain that better when they put the port in. I was in the room waiting for a CT scan and one woman was having the vein accessed through her foot. I guess that the other veins were collasped or something. Good luck on getting the count up.

    blood draws from ports
    I thought I was going to have that problem and was really getting the run around. I talked to chemo nurses and nursing supervisors etc. Then I mentioned it to the phlebotomist drawing my blood and she said they had a "procedure nurse" that would come and do the ports right there in the lab. Who knew? Obviously, not many! It has worked out fine.
    I mentioned it to the chemo nurses where I get treated and they said they can almost always find someone to draw labs for their patients that dont live close. Keep looking! It is sooo worth it!
  • froggy1
    froggy1 Member Posts: 205
    #17
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    Pythiaschad said:

    platelets
    My wife has been battling platelet problems for a while now. So bad that if they try to do a draw from an arm vein it almost always blow. She got a port put in and it makes draws so easy that I almost could do it. Not that I would try. Maybe you should ask about a port for yourself.

    Pythia
    Not sure if your post is directed at me, but I do have a port. It's a matter of getting somebody to approve having the chemo nurses draw from it as a stand alone procedure. I'm sure it's insurance related. I'm going to try to push for it, as my veins have been blown the last two times they tried an arm stick, plus bruising. Thanks, Froggy
  • cfont11
    cfont11 Member Posts: 115
    #18
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    discouraged
    Try not to get discouraged. As many others have said, it is day by day and sometimes minute by minute. I had 6 treatments of carbo/taxol on a 3 weeks cycle. Over the course of treatment, I had 3 blood transfusions and one shot of neulasta. I found that good nutrition is the best thing you can do to get your counts up. You can ask the doctor or check with a nutritionist. Unfortunately, low blood counts are part of the chemo side effects and you just need to think positive thoughts. Best of luck!

    Chris

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