Low white cells count

Hello 

i am sorry. Your daughter sounds pretty much like my husband. He has his final chemo on this coming Tuesday but each time he goes his white count is so low it been less than 0.2 and last week his red count was also really low .it was touch and go for an emergency blood transfusion . 
I have to say his side effects have steadily worsened as has his sickness , pain and discomfort . The injections to try and boost his white blood cells cause him spasms when his blood marrow is stimulated and the various pain relief options not worked so he never completes his full course of injections. 

They’ve altered his medication more in the last few weeks than before due to worsening side effects so we’re literally counting down to the final dose.

Amazingly my husband has managed to be infection free and his treatment was only delayed by a day once and that was due to a delay with a Covid test.  But we have shielded since March. I disinfect any deliveries and we both do not have any close interaction with people. The only people we see are our 2 grown children and parents and this is only outside in the garden at a distance above 2m. Though he obviously comes into contact more at the hospital with others . If my husband goes out at all for fresh air we avoid everyone. 
 
I hope your daughter will get through this quickly but talk to her team and see what options they can offer. X

Hi, 

so sorry this is happening, it’s miserable. Sometimes chemo gets delayed a few days as a result but still it is working for her.

dont forget the dodge of Claritin (genetic name Loratidine) started the day before those jabs does help with bone aches. 

White cell counts do get a bit lazy as they really hit a ‘low’ at around the start of the second week and slowly rise during that week, just as you’re beginning to feel a touch better. But yes, sadly the chemo for HL does tend to be cumulative and the exhaustion (it’s nothing like being tired!) does increase. The remedy is rest as and when but honestly, a bit of exercise too can help!

Hugs xxx

Hi shazpike

thank you for your reply , As the government have lifted shielding my daughter is doing more now I think that because she has been in complete isolation because of the virus and now told she’s allowed to do more she feels more frustrated   , she still is carful but it’s a worry. 
when she had her first bout of injections she was in a lot of pain , doctors have told her it’s because the bones are releasing the wbc and it can happen so she was given pain relief, the more she is having to have the injections the pain is not as bad . 

Has your husband found that the steroids they give you have caused a lot of bloating ? 

I pray for the day that she is free of this horrible disease.  I wish your husband all the best for his last treatment you just want to wrap them up in cotton wool to protect them from everything.

Xx 

Hi moomy

thank you for the reply I will mention the Claritin to my daughter. 
Xx