Low platelets again today-no chemo

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My platelets only rose 1 point, now 95.  Haven't heard from doctor yet about not getting chemo on Monday, but I'm sure sometime this afternoon they will cancel because they are strict about being above 100.  I've read some cancer centers and doctors believe in treating according to symptoms, not numbers.  I don't have bruising or bleeding, even when they drew blood on Wednesday, I pointed out to the technician that I didn't have any brusing.  He agreed and said he didn't think I had serious problems.  So, I called my doctors office and requested an appointment with my doctor.  When shhe asked what I needed to see him about, I explained that I was a patient, and had questions.  She offered to let me speak to his nurse, and told her no thank you, I wanted to ask the doctor my questions.  She seemed surprised, but set me up an appt to see him Monday afternoon.  So wish me luck, I am either going to be satisfied with his answers on how my treatment will go if I have to start/stop chemo and also I want some kind of a scan to tell me if I have anything active right now.  If I don't get the right answers, then I'm asking him to transfer me to the Nebraska Hematology Oncology in my town.  They can finish my treatments and if I need to see him (or another gyno/oncologist) after, then I will decide who to see.  Hugs Nancy

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  • Lou Ann M
    Lou Ann M Member Posts: 996 Member
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    Oh darn

    I was hoping that the would make it to the magic 100 for you.  My doctor would have let me at either number, but I know a lot of places would be a stickler for that 100.  I am sad thatn you are getting such poor treatment from your doctor's my office.  That is just not right that you are having such a hard time getting to talk to him.  I have had a few visits over the last few years with my doctor's PA, but he always sees me at least every other time.  And I if I had questions the PA would go ask him.  I agree that if you don't get the answers to your questions that you may want to start looking around.  A 2nd opinion is never a bad idea.  Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

  • Lou Ann M said:

    Oh darn

    I was hoping that the would make it to the magic 100 for you.  My doctor would have let me at either number, but I know a lot of places would be a stickler for that 100.  I am sad thatn you are getting such poor treatment from your doctor's my office.  That is just not right that you are having such a hard time getting to talk to him.  I have had a few visits over the last few years with my doctor's PA, but he always sees me at least every other time.  And I if I had questions the PA would go ask him.  I agree that if you don't get the answers to your questions that you may want to start looking around.  A 2nd opinion is never a bad idea.  Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

    Squeaky wheel gets the oil???

    Surprise, I just got a phone call from my doctors nurse.  Although my count isn't 100, she talked with the doctor and they agreed to let me have chemo on Monday!!!  She then said they noted that I had set up an appointment with him on Monday and if I still wanted to talk with him, she would accompany him to the infusion room so we could talk.  I said that would be great, I told her I wanted to ask about Neumega and she immediately said they had used it in the past, but it had really bad side effects.  I said I understood that, but so did cancer that recurrs.  She tried to go on about low platelets and that my platelets don't recover, she said the next one would probably drop then down to 50.  With that, I replied that I had figured that out already, and figured this would be my last treatment.  She was stunned, and simply said that this is something I and the doctor could discuss on Monday. I already know that I want to ask about smaller dose, but more frequent chemo being given locally for me.  I think I read that it would be every week or two weeks?  Maybe this would help keep my platelets up.  Or at least get the chemo locally, so that when my counts were within reasonable range, I could quickly get to the office, without an hour plus drive.  Hugs Nancy

  • EZLiving66
    EZLiving66 Member Posts: 1,482 Member
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    unknown said:

    Squeaky wheel gets the oil???

    Surprise, I just got a phone call from my doctors nurse.  Although my count isn't 100, she talked with the doctor and they agreed to let me have chemo on Monday!!!  She then said they noted that I had set up an appointment with him on Monday and if I still wanted to talk with him, she would accompany him to the infusion room so we could talk.  I said that would be great, I told her I wanted to ask about Neumega and she immediately said they had used it in the past, but it had really bad side effects.  I said I understood that, but so did cancer that recurrs.  She tried to go on about low platelets and that my platelets don't recover, she said the next one would probably drop then down to 50.  With that, I replied that I had figured that out already, and figured this would be my last treatment.  She was stunned, and simply said that this is something I and the doctor could discuss on Monday. I already know that I want to ask about smaller dose, but more frequent chemo being given locally for me.  I think I read that it would be every week or two weeks?  Maybe this would help keep my platelets up.  Or at least get the chemo locally, so that when my counts were within reasonable range, I could quickly get to the office, without an hour plus drive.  Hugs Nancy

    I sure hope this works out

    I sure hope this works out for you!  I know how badly you want to get the complete treatment of six chemos but you have to consider the downside too.  I keep thinking about my granddaughter's friend who had chemo on Friday and died on Monday.  Chemo can do permanent damage and there's a reason doctors and hospitals have all these guidelines about when it can or cannot be done.  Please be careful!!!

    Love,

    Eldri