so what happens?

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kimber3006
kimber3006 Member Posts: 586
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

What happens if your cell counts are too low for a treatment?  Do you just skip a week or do you get a boost (Neulasta or transfusion or whatever is needed) and then go a few days later, then continue on weekly for the rest of treatment or what?

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  • AsiaYM
    AsiaYM Member Posts: 2,216
    edited February 2010

    Yes, you will get boost shot till your cell counts are up to normal rage before you start another chemo cycle again.

    Karen

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited February 2010

    There were two times that I was very close to not being treated and I was told I would have to skip the treatment that week.  At the time that happened I was already receiving the Neulasta shot.  I'm guessing each situation is handled differently.  I've heard that some just skip one week and see where the numbers are, some skip and get the Neulasta injection and if the numbers are really bottomed out then transfusions are necessary.

    Were you numbers low last week?

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited February 2010

    While I was on my FEC part, my counts got low, but were barely acceptable. They told me if they were too low, i would have to wait a week, to see if they rebounded, which obviously i didn't want to do.

    Then with the Taxatore, I had to take steroids the day before my infusion, and they artifically boosted my WBC. However, I ended up becoming neutropenic, and they had me in hospital for three days (in an isolation cell - really, no fun) After that I had the neupogen shot, and my levels were fine. I never missed an infusion!

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  • kimber3006
    kimber3006 Member Posts: 586
    edited February 2010

    Kerry - That doesn't sound fun. 

    Jenn3 - No, actually so far they've always said my blood work was "perfect!" but I've only had 2 of the 12 Taxols so far, and I'm not getting the protective Neulasta shots each round this time.  I just started wondering if I might not be done with chemo when I'm planning to be done if I have to delay a treatment, or skip one and make it up at the end.

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  • AmyIsStrong
    AmyIsStrong Member Posts: 1,755
    edited February 2010

    They told me that we would delay a week and recheck counts. I opted out of the shots and took whey protein daily to help boost my cell count. No idea if it helped, but I always squeaked through on the counts and never had to delay it.  They did tell me that delaying it a week would not in any way jeopardize treatment. Good luck to you.

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  • janincanada
    janincanada Member Posts: 258
    edited February 2010

    I was delayed for a week due to low counts. They were so low that I was hospitalized for nine days and had the Infectious Disease SPecialist coming to see me regularly.  Got a private room though at no charge.  I was assured that it would not negatively affect my treatment to wait until my counts were up.  Hang in there.

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited February 2010

    Jan - oh, my, I do not know how you managed for 9 days in isolation. 2 nights nearly did me in - they had me on a geriatric ward, as it was the only isolation room available.

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  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited February 2010

    kerry,

    I was stuck in a geriatric ward as well..lol.

    After my last Taxol, I ended up in the hospital. It was around 9 pm, but sometime through out the night I was moved from the Emergency ward. It was February, and everyone was coming in with colds/flus. They wanted me in isolation....the ONLY place was 4th floor Geriatrics

    I woke up to a male nurse trying to wake up a 80 something asian woman. " Come on momma...wake up.! Arn't you looking good this morning."

    Whaaaaaaat?!!!!

    Two out of three roomates had dementia. And the third, was a Korean lady who was recovering from her colonoscopy, and everytime she moved past my bed she kept saying, that jesus was going to heal me. <sigh>

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  • kimber3006
    kimber3006 Member Posts: 586
    edited February 2010

    lexislove - lol!  After an eye surgery 16 years ago I was put in a room with an elderly lady with dementia.  Every time she saw me (when the curtain wasn't pulled all the way) she gave me the sternest look and yelled "Margaret!  You get over here RIGHT NOW!" over and over just glaring at me.

    Hopefully my counts will stay high enough I won't have to worry about it this time.

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  • geewhiz
    geewhiz Member Posts: 1,439
    edited February 2010

    I am going through the same thing.



    The taxotere has my counts plummeted, platelets and wbc. I am really afraid they will delay my Tuesday treatment. I just want to keep moving forward so this is all over with asap!!



    I opted out of the shots, but I think I will have to go back to them. Kimber3006 I will keep positive blood count vibes going for us both!!! Keep me posted!

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