Went for a blood test on Monday, and as it was the second blood test in a two week period, I was convinced that all would be well and I would go for my chemotherapy on Wednesday. This afternoon received a phone call from a nurse who works on the ward where the chemo is given. She told me that my chemotherapy session had been cancelled because the white blood cell count was still too low. This happened last week also, so that is now two weeks running that my treatment has been postponed. Has this happened to others? If so, would you share your experience with me please? I'm not the little "scaredy cat" I was when I first joined this lovely site, but I still find the "unknown" - when spanners are thrown in the works a bit daunting. Why is it that when people phone to give you some news which is not altogether good, they don't have the relevant information which would enable them to answer your questions? Just an observation that - seems a bit strange. I've been told to "report for blood giving duties" next Monday, after which, I have an appointment to see the oncologist. As I said, if anyone has had experiences like this, please share. I hope you are all warm and safe at the moment. Love kate xxxxxxxxxx
FormerMember
I did have high readings of Liver or Kidney thingies at one stage, but not above the safety limit and they did come down after a week. Otherwise, I didn't have to miss any of my chemos. You do have to do the bloods, and then the Oncologist will reveal all. If nobody else has told you, it could be because they are afraid that they might not be able to explain it properly, so the oncologist will be the one explaining.
Make notes, take your beloved with you. He will hear the same as you, but if it is complex, he will understand different bits, and if it is worrying, you won't have to tell him yourself.
At least you will have time to get stronger in the meantime. Other people have to miss chemos for various reasons, and it is fairly clear that you have to be strong enough for the Chemo. It is really strong stuff, and it is supposed to be killing Cancer cells. It kills other cells as well, so if you are a bit under par, you need more time. The effect of the Chemo you have had will last a few weeks, so don't worry about losing ground. But especially ask your oncologist. He's the one who knows. I am only guessing, from my own limited experience and things I have read on these boards.
It never happened to me personally but I did see this happen to other people in the chemo ward with me. Chemo destroys good cells as well as the cancer ones, and, as Ruthless pointed out, it is strong stuff (people taking it at home are given all sorts of injunctions about other people not even handling the packaging). They have to feel sure that your body will be able to battle its way through a session/cycle before they give it to you - don't want you to end up in hospital feeling really unwell. The people I saw this postponement happen to just took that bit longer than they'd expected to get through the number of cycles. I know that it is frustrating and that you want to get on with it (or get it over with!). Patience is the key here. Don't get all worked up about what the oncologist has to say, or you will make yourself more unwell. He/she is hopefully seeing you as a standard precaution to explain that "normal service will be resumed shortly". Progress is certainly monitorred closely on chemo, so rest assured that they are at least looking after you.
Its a real bummer, but it does happen. It happened to me on 2 separate occasions. Both times I felt on top of the world. My onc was really amazed the first time.It was so low she was expecting to see me looking grey and washed out when I went bouncing into her office. I done everything I was told to keep myself as well as possible, but every ones body reacts differently and sometimes the repairs take a little longer.
The most frustrating thing is having that date in your diary when it will all be over. Then finding that you have to keep moving it on. But you will get there, and before you know it it will all be behind you.
read your blog and wonder if anyone has heard about/used Life Mel Honey? I was sent an article from a magazine from 2 different friends about someone whose count had dropped and she had started to take this. Her count improved. It must be emphasised there is no sound scientific proof ( yet) that this works.However it doesnt seem to do any harm, except to the pocket as a jar of this costs 32.50.It is available online at www.victoriahealth.com and yesterday I read another article on this site, wich had been published in a paper concerning a Canadian Dr who had also used it and felt an improvement.
I havent used this myself and will start my chemo on Tuesday.
I wish you all the best Kate, from one Scottish lass to another. Love Jules x
