Blood transfusions

Hi

This is a relatively common side effect of chemotherapy (and also radiotherapy), so don't worry about it.  The drop in the red cell blood count does happen very quickly after the chemo cycle, so the transfusion is needed at that time.  As with all chemo side effects it is a lottery as to which, if any, can happen to a person. She is not doing anything wrong and unfortunately there is nothing you can give her to stop this from happening. The low blood count will be lowering her mood.

I too had this side effect, and my blood counts started to drop after the first cycle and never fully recovered during the chemo cycles. After both my 3rd and 4th cycles I needed blood transfusions; 2 units at each session.

The 'good' thing was that after the events of the 3rd cycle I knew that this would happen again, so ahead of cycle 4 I mentioned it to my Consultant and the very much needed blood transfusion was booked in advance. So if your Mam has any further cycles of chemo, then ask that the blood transfusion sessions are booked in advance.

I hope this helps and I wish the best possible outcomes for your Mam.

Kegsy x

Hi MrsUzi 

Sorry to hear your Mum has on going problems. My bloods drop too and to counteract this we organised injections to get the bone marrow working to replace them on the fourth day after treatment.

I can see you have said she has completed her treatment and usually after a month they should keep improving. I would suggest asking her team what is the best management or anything they can do. It does seem though that now it's stopped and time will pass it should hopefully sort itself.

Re you saying why seemingly good results but so many side effects. Chemotherapy aims to attack rapidly dividing cells, but also will attack the cells you don't want. A good response on tumour reduction can mean you get the unwanted side effects but usually it's a sign it is doing what is needed.

I don't think they will do regular more often unfortunately. I had my first blood infusion yesterday. They tested them in the afternoon they were just ok at 10.5, they retested them in the morning and I was anaemic needing the transfusion at 7-8,  so when they plummet, it can be a sharp fall within hours.

I am due to start immunotherapy after this type of chemotherapy and as I said, I knew I would likely have blood issues, my oncologist never said anything about that meaning I wouldn't be offered the immunotherapy (though I never specifically asked that question). Your team would be best to answer that , but I doubt it would mean she couldn't have immunotherapy as a treatment.

Good luck with it all.