Chemo postponed due to low white blood count

Hi Nicola

I am about to start my 7th cycle of oral capecitebane and my blood results 3 weeks ago were showing low white blood cell count. One extra week off meds. I increased my daily intake of Vitamin C and fresh fruit and veggies. Broccoli and orange juice smoothies for breakfast ! Did my blood test again this Friday gone and got a call saying I am good to go ahead with 7th cycle as bloods have improved. She didn't say there was a massive improvement, but it looks good enough to go ahead with 7th cycle. Everybody is different ofcourse, but I do think and believe there are things we can do to help. Some people don't.. Always get advice from your docs. All the best to you, good luck going forward. 

Thank you Rose. I try to eat healthy and have fruit and veg in my diet. I have now introduced orange juice with a squirt of lemon juice in it which I wasn't doing previously. 

All the very best to you as you go for your 7th cycle.

Hello Buebell,

I should of had my second tratment of Folfox two and half weeks ago but my blood platelets were very low.Hoping that my treatment would be a week later but postponed again as although my platelets had improved my white blood cells wrer low. Like you I have to  have  injections but for five days each week. Keeping my fingers crossed that all will be well this week! Good to knoww it is not just me going through these delays.Hope you have yor treatment on Thursday.

Catsski xx

Hi Catsski,

Sorry to hear that your white blood cells and platelets are low. How are you feeling within yourself? I found that the injections made me feel tired and I had back ache. But once I stopped them it went away.

My Folfox has been reduced to 80%. So this last round (4th) I recovered quicker and had less problems, like oral thrush. 

I hope that you get your next treatment soon.

Love

Nicola 

Hello Bluebell51

I have only had one treatment of Folfox and was surprised to feel so good apart from mouth ulcers, heels splitting but able to cope with them. Plus the constant fatigue of course.Owing to the blood being affected my treatment has also been reduced to 80%. Glad you said that having only 80% allowed you to recover quicker. Hope that I find the same!

I am definitely more comfortable with the infusions rather than the tablets. I have also noticed this week that my  hair is  coming out when I brush my hair and just wondering how thin my hair will become as it is fine hair anyway ; must talk to the nurses when/if I go for treatment.

Hope your next treatment goes well

 Good Luck 

 Joy xx

I am having a lot of hair thinning too. It has surprised me because I was told I'll keep my hair. At this rate I will loose most of it by the end. I have started to Google turbans and scarfs! 

What has helped is having my hair cut short and again I feel having 80% has made a difference. 

Do let me know how your next treatment goes and the after effects. 

I will be thinking and praying for you.

Nicola. 

Hi Bluebell. Sorry to hear your chemo has been delayed, it’s horrible when you just want to get on with it. I’m in the same position, 2 cycles of Capox then platelet count too low last week so delayed for one week, went back today to be told my white cell count is now too low so delayed for another week. Can I ask what your injections are? I asked for something to boost my cell count but was told there wasn’t anything they could give me. Sharon x 

Hello Bluebell51

Pleased to say that I did have my 2nd treatment as both platelets and white blood cells were fine. I was so relieved. I had not slept particularly well and my treatment was in the afternoon so did did not arrive home  until teatime  for some reason I was very emotional , probably a combination of tiredness and relief that my treatemnt was back on track.Next day I was fine, I did take a sleeping tablet, a good night's sleep was fabulous! Full of energy , lots of household chores accomplished and no nap in the afternoon.

However, made the mistake of thinking I would sleep as I had been so active etc only not to be able to sleep at all! yesterdday felt like a zombie and probably looked like one!

My next probelm is my ear.I noticed that my hearing was deteriorating right at the beginning of my chemo treatment and also my eye sight was effected. Spoke to one of the nurses who said not to worry about the eyes because this was a common side effect that would improve within the day which it did. However, she did tell me to get my hearing checked. Didn't have an appointment  until last Friday in August by then I could not hear at all in my left ear as it was completely blocked and couldn't clear it by all the usually methods of holding nose and blowing. The result was that I need further investigation as no sign of blocked with ear wax or infection. However, this last couple of days have had discharge from my ear. My next appointment is next Friday, so not sure what to do. Typically it is the weekend.. Think I will pop down to A&E....

I am still feeling fine . Cannot do a thing with my hair ,everyday now a bad hair day! Very flat and limp.

Hope you are okay

Joy xx

Hi catsski,

It's good to hear that you are back on treatment.  Sorry about your ear. I hope that you can get that sorted soon. 

I have had my treatment reduced due to the side effects. So the last 2 have been more manageable.  The fatigue is my most difficult side effect. I just can't get much motivation for anything, until the fatigue subsides. 

Thinking of you.

Nicola 

Hi Etta J,

Sorry to hear that. I have now had my treatment reduced due to side effects, so that last 2 rounds have been more manageable. 

Unfortunately I don't know what the medication was called that they gave me. I had to inject into my stomach for 3 days to increase white blood cell production. 

Do you have a specialist nurse that you could ask? 

Wishing you all the best.

Nicola.