low white cells chemo stopped

ssuand1
ssuand1 Member Posts: 9
in Colorectal Cancer #1

My husband is stage 4 he had tumor removed from

Colon but still has a rectol tumor.  The cancer spread to lung.  He started chemo but we only did 2 seasons and he got a cold. So that week his Dr thought he wasn't well enough for chemo. A week later he had blood work and was told white cell count was to low for chemo.  They put him on antibiotics now and try to restart chemo on 19th.  What effect will this break in chemo have on effectiveness?

 

S

Comments

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    #2
    Happens all the time

    I had three chemo treatments cancelled during my run with it.  Once for low White, once for low red and once for low platlettes. I am three years NED (no evidence of disease) so if thats proof that all is well, run with it. 

    Good luck to hubby and keep on posting. 

    Tru

  • mozart13
    mozart13 Member Posts: 118
    edited June 2017 #3
    Normal

    Thats normal for chemo, most people experience simillar issuess. All my blood work was low after second dose, received 3rd dose, than one week delay for 4th one. Was given injections Gastrofil, and it worked, every thing bounced back, just finished my 4th chemo this week, am still on Gastrofil injections to boost bone marrow production.

    Good luck!

  • gsmith53
    gsmith53 Member Posts: 27
    #4
    Normal

    Not to worry. I too went through that. I am coming up on cycle 7. I think it was between 4 and 5 that it happened to me two weeks in a row. The first one I took as normal. Platelets were low. Then the next week was pushed out because white cells were low. It scared the dickens out of me. But, my team assured me that it was quite normal. I'm back on track and CT just before this cycle was NED. So, keep your head up and keep on keepin on. 

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    edited June 2017 #5
    Common

    It happens and you want them to pull you from treatment because it can be devestating to have blood levels so low because the patient could die from bleeding out.  You won't lose the effectiveness from previous treatments to have to wait.  Things will be fine by waiting.  There are also WBC boosters that you can inject yourself or go to the clinic to do.  Wishing your husband well.

    Kim

  • Phil64
    Phil64 Member Posts: 838 Member
    #6
    I had a similar experience as

    I had a similar experience as Tru. Had to skip because of low count. And I'm 2 1/2 years NED now. Good luck and best wishes!

  • EissetB
    EissetB Member Posts: 133
    #7
    Yesterday my onc explained to

    Yesterday my onc explained to me that if in case my white blood cells count continue to drop even after a shot of Neulasta this sunday, she will have to cancel my next session which supposed to be on June 30th. 

  • Adeline78
    Adeline78 Member Posts: 1
    #8
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Common

    It happens and you want them to pull you from treatment because it can be devestating to have blood levels so low because the patient could die from bleeding out.  You won't lose the effectiveness from previous treatments to have to wait.  Things will be fine by waiting.  There are also WBC boosters that you can inject yourself or go to the clinic to do.  Wishing your husband well.

    Kim

    Low white blood cells

    Hi. Please my sister is unable to continue therapy because of very low WBC. Please can you share information on some WBC boosters we can use. I will be very grateful. Thank you. Adeline

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #9
    Adeline78 said:

    Low white blood cells

    Hi. Please my sister is unable to continue therapy because of very low WBC. Please can you share information on some WBC boosters we can use. I will be very grateful. Thank you. Adeline

    Boosters

    There are two different injections that can be given for boosting WBC and my husband did mine.  One is Nupegeon (sp) and the other I'm not sure, but my insurance would only pay for the one that you have to take several days in a row.  Ask the oncologist for a booster shot but they should already know this.  If they don't - get a new doctor.  My WBC still is low today but it's manageable.  Don't let her blood count get too low as it's not good for her.  Wishing her well.

    Kim

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    #10
    EissetB said:

    Yesterday my onc explained to

    Yesterday my onc explained to me that if in case my white blood cells count continue to drop even after a shot of Neulasta this sunday, she will have to cancel my next session which supposed to be on June 30th. 

    Its frustrating

    Every cancelled treatment just puts your end date back, and that is the worst. I was supposed to finish treatments in June (several years ago) and it ended up being the middle of July. It plays with your head if you let it, so don't let it. Just do what you have to do. 

    Tru

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