Immune system help after Chemo

Merilee my count is low  and falling lower as well. The last time I was at my natural health store I asked them to suggest something to help build it up. I have been using something called Ligustrum they suggested. It is recommended by the Cancer Institute I think. I won't know if it is working till my next blood work up, but my thoughts are it can't hurt, and it might help.

Egg whites are really helpful. I have kept up my white cells through 8 chemo treatments that way. One way I eat them is in pancakes. I make the pancakes with whole grain flour, berries and egg whites only, no yolks.

I also try to eat fish a lot, easy on the stomach and high in protein. Often I will make a simple white fish of some kind with salsa. 

Merilee the neulasta does bring the counts up during chemo, but there is no lasting effect from it. I think the counts drop from both the chemo as well as the radiation treatments. It's a cumulative effect. I often wonder where mine would be if the chemo treatments had been continued. I didn't stop chemo because of my white count, but rather because of a systemic infection that I came down with.

Momine egg whites to treat low white counts is interesting. My Onc told me to eat whole eggs daily for the extra protein which I've been doing. I had been eating just the whites.

Merilee, you shall be welcome any time.

Kira, try other flours without gluten. My health food store has flour made from buckwheat or rice  and a bunch of other kinds too. When I make pancakes, I use a little flour (but you could use buckwheat or other) and then cornmeal, oatmeal etc for the rest of the bulk. It tastes good and is good for you.

It won't work for bread that well,  but it should work for pancakes. Just use a little extra baking powder if necessary. 

Another thing you can try, for making bread, is to go for flatbread instead of fluffy. Just make a simple dough of whatever flour, sat and water, maybe a little oil. Roll out fairly thin, crepe-thin, and bake for a few minutes in a hot oven. It is sort of like a chapati/wrap/tortilla type thing, but can be good if you are craving a bread-like substance. 

Kira and Merilee, do you mind if I ask what tx you received and what determined your Drs to lessen or stop your txs?



There are so many SEs and it's difficult to wonder if one is just going to exhibibit more SEs orvif this is indeed a toxic amount.



I wish you both the best in repairing your immune system, and will share anything I happen to learn.



I know of someone who received large dose vitamin infusions on her alternate tx weeks, she was able to work through AC then T.



This of course was discouraged by my onc.



I just don't know.

Thank you for your reply Kira.



Prayers and hugs for continued improvement.

Merilee, sorry to hear about your ongoing issues. This isn't chemo specific but when I had a dental infection my DDS said you can boost the immune system with extra Vit C, D and especially plenty of sleep. My BS's nurse said that walking 1/2 hr a day can boost the immune system. FYI in case this helps.

What a long time for our counts to come back. I will say ruthbru you have been a great advocate for a healthy life style, and I'm sure it has kept you in better shape during those years. I thank you for your dedication to helping those new to this disease as well as the great advice you give. You were so much help to me last year when I was new to all of this and very scared.

Merilee, that is just wonderful news.



Thank you also for your reply.



I hope nothing but the absolute best for you.



Laura