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Not dispensing chemo tablets

Reachforthestars
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My mum was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May and was given a whipple procedure. The consultant then advised that she have 6 months of chemo via chemo tablets, she went to the pharmacy to collect them today but was told they have had to delay the tablets due to her blood test, she has to repeat the blood test next week but she wants to know why the tablets weren’t dispensed. 

Is this due to something showing up in her blood? Is this positive for example her blood count is low and therefore the tablets aren’t needed? Or bad news, for instance cancer has been detected in her bloods?

Thanks in advance 

  • Hello Reachforthestars,

    Thanks for getting in touch with us and welcome to our online community. I’m Linda, one of the nurses from our support line.

    Chemotherapy can cause low blood counts and it’s common for people to have their bloods checked before starting chemotherapy and throughout their treatment.

    It’s possible that your mum’s blood counts were low. I would encourage you to talk this over with her consultant and/or nurse.

    It’s not safe to administer chemotherapy if the blood counts are already low and normally, they would recheck the levels the following week.  

    I hope this helps.

    Take care and best wishes,

    Linda J.  (Cancer Information Nurse Specialist)

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email or use webchat.

    Ref: LJ/CF

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