Delaying Tx 1 Week due to Neutropenia?

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ellentk
ellentk Member Posts: 41
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

I was diagnosed with Stage 1 TNB in December. Had a lumpectomy then started what was supposed to be four dose-dense AC treatments. After the first treatment, I developed febrile neutropenia and my onc reduced the dose 15% and switched the time line to every three weeks.  I was supposed to get my third treatment today but my WBC,at 2.7 and the extent it dropped after the first two treatments (to 800 and to 1200) when my WBC was in the low normal range prior to treatment, it's not safe for me to have treatment now.  So we'll try again in six days. 

I've read many studies that say more frequent treatment is more effective.  Does anyone know how much less effective waiting a week, or two if my count doesn't come up by next week, for the third treatment is?

I've been taking Neupogen to raise the WBC after a treatment, and haven't had any for the past eight days.  My onc wants to see what happens w/o it.  I'll be off it for 14 days by next Monday, so it should be a pretty good indication. 

Thanks for any info.

Ellen

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited April 2014

    Same exact thing happened to me right after my first A/C.   I  had a small corner of my lumpectomy scar still left  (bat wing excision and re-excision) at the time i began chemo, which my BS, my onc and my primary care doctor all gave the go ahead to -  and whamo - cellulitis of the breast, febrile neutropenia, 5 days in the hospital on heavy IV antibiotics, which I had to continue for another 6 weeks orally.  My next A/C was pushed to three weeks instead of two and cut by 15% as well.  I was nervous about it as well, as my blood after each remaining chemo always went to pot and took a while to get back up to the counts needed.  That was 5 years ago, and I'm still here!  Take a deep breath and know that they are doing the right thing by you.  Wishing you nothing but the best,

    Linda

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  • ellentk
    ellentk Member Posts: 41
    edited April 2014

    Five years! Wow, Linda.  That's terrific.  Thank you so much for the reassurance.

    I was so discouraged to find out I had to delay my treatment because I want to be as aggressive as possible. Right now that takes the form of eating a lot of foods that are supposed to increase white blood cells and being careful to avoid germs.

    I know I'm getting great care, that it's important to keep me safe and my WBC is just too low for another round right now. But until I read your reply, I was just worrying and worrying that delayed treatment won't work.  Thank you for telling me your story and giving me back some hope.

    Ellen

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