I am anemic before surgery - has anyone else been?

Kstinekd,

I am sorry that u became anemic. Although I am unaware of your hemoglobin level, I saw that you reported your red blood cell (RBC) count as 3.4 in another post. Depending upon your lab, the typical RBC range is 4.2 to 5.4 million cells/mcL (https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003644.htm). So, 3.4 is considered low. In my case, my RBC count was 3.20 and my hemoglobin (Hgb) was 8.0 on the day of my fifth of six recommended chemo treatments. For each scheduled chemo infusion, I was supposed to receive those two delightfully toxic meds (taxotere and carboplatin) followed by the ever-more-delightful targeted HER2 positive therapy drugs: Herceptin and Perjeta. At this fifth treatment, which was June 19, 2018, I was worried. How would my organs be adequately perfused (receive proper blood flow) during a surgery if I had very low RBCs and a low Hgb? I called my my breast surgeon to learn the lowest possible Hgb level for proper organ perfusion. She told me that she insisted on a Hgb level of 9.5 or 10 on the day of the surgery. So, prior to the administration of my fifth chemo, I talked to my hematologist/oncologist and came up with the following plan: daily iron supplements taken with a vitamin C enriched drink, such as orange juice, to insure better absorption of the iron; daily increased protein intake to insure hemoglobin , which is a protein on the RBC, was properly produced and could transport oxygen; the removal of taxotere and carboplatin, the two RBC annihilators, for my sixth treatment on July 10, 2018; and the scheduling of a mastectomy for the end of July. It was June 19th. I had my fifth chemo treatment and scheduled my surgery for July 23, 2018. When my surgery date arrived, my Hgb level was 9.7. All went well......kind of.....my tumor had shrunk but i did not have a pathological complete response (pCR - which is complete destruction of the tumor- mine was smaller but had survived- dang it!).

Also, I saw in another forum that your B12 was crazy elevated. I am glad to hear that the doctor is going to discuss that with you. High levels of B12, as I am sure you know, can be associated with a variety of issues. Perhaps you are overdoing vitamin B12 supplements or chemo is affecting your liver. Hope you are well. Let us know your outcome. Sending good thoughts.

Giveityourall

I was anemic and able to have surgery, but my medical oncologist required that I have iron infusions prior to beginning chemo. I had 5 IV infusions and was good to go.

Best of luck!