My husband is exceptionally tired all the time. His blood counts have shown his platelets decreasing from 55, 44, 33, 22 and now 5. I don't fully understand these numbers except that its too low. His hematologist consultant rang this morning with the latest figure of 5 and said he has arranged for a platelet transfusion in the morning. I understand that this is to combat the tiredness. Can anyone please explain these figures to me and confirm that I have this right and if so once he has had the transfusion what experiences of how long it takes to work and get rid of the tiredness and how long does it last. He is feeling really despondent now, especially as a friend has just died this week from lung cancer. It is such a physical and emotional rollercoaster. It doesn't seem right that the friend was diagnosed after my husband was but has now passed away. I am sure my husband feels guilty about it but as much as I mourn the passing of our friend, I am thankful he is no longer in pain and although it may be selfish I am very grateful to still have my husband. To everyone who is involved in this terrible journey I wish you all well. Thank You
Hi again.
This is not that unusual. During treatment chemo will destroy bad (cancer) cells but will unfortunately suppress the bone marrows ability to make enough new cells like platelets as chemo will reduce the ability of the cells to rapidly reproduce..... and yes I don’t fully understand the numbers but did know well when they were low as you could feel the difference.
So blood/platelet transfusions are the way to help this recover and yes it’s a ‘pick me up’ for your husband and it can work rather quickly.
I had lots of transfusions and at one point was having them regularly over a 4 month period. I would go into the hospital in the morning very tired and had to have a wheelchair to get me to the ward and by the end of the day I work out no problem.
Some times it took a few days of transfusions to do the job but his team are on it.
It is a complete rollercoaster but do keep your eyes firmly fixed on the knowledge that this is all temporary and there is light at the end ((hugs))
Sorry to hear about the death of your husbands friend from lung cancer. These events will magnify the journey your husband is on and there will at times be survivors guilt - been there and have the T shirt.
But at this point in time you both need to concentrate on getting through this then deal with the fallout after.
I lost two good friends closely together a few years back. We meet a 6 months before they died and we made an agreement that the last man standing would live a life worthy of the others who had passed and this is exactly what I am trying to do ((hugs))
