Platelet count too low for chemo (delayed by a week)

Hello Sarah16. I'm not from this group, but noticed you've not had a reply yet. I had my fair share of chemo for my own cancer and had a couple of delays because of low bloods, stretching the six weeks to eight. This concern comes up fairly often here. I believe these delays are common, and I was told don't make a great difference in the overall effectiveness. My nurses advised to keep to a normal diet, keep well hydrated and take some light exercise, even if you don't feel up to it. In extreme circumstances they can give medication to help with low bloods, but much prefer to let things improve gradually. I hope it goes well for you. Best wishes.

Hi Sarah16. I've only had 3 sessions so far and I know that the score for white blood cells, platelets and if it shows anaemia or reduction in kidney or liver function. My Oncologist told me yesterday I'm becoming more anaemic due to chemo and might need to have a blood transfusion. Another first on my journey!

Thanks rily for the input, this is all fairly new to me too!

Hugs, Barb xx

oops, sausage fingers again - should read the scores for white blood cells, platelets is important.

Bxx

Hello! 

During my induction chemo I missed session 6&7 due to low white cells and during my second chemo I missed the last session due to numbness in my hands and feet. I was assured not to be concerned and things would improve naturally. I am sure they will gauge this with your next lot of bloods! 

I understand that this is different from platelets I more wanted to try and reassure that many people miss treatments for a few reasons and I was told by my oncologist that it wouldn’t have much affect on the treatment plan I was getting. I know everyone is different, I just wanted to try and put your mind at ease

sending positive vibes 

Jen 

xx

470132

I had to have one treatment delayed because my neutrophils were below 1. After this I was given an injection (can't recall the name) to do in my chemo belly stomach 24 hours after treatment.  This brought the levels back up. It's so frustrating and worrying when treatment doesn't go smoothly 

Lindy67 I wasn’t offered an injection. I’m sure I was sitting at 0.9 the first week then they continued to drop to 0.7 the next week, they then picked up, I must of needed the rest

470132

I'm having my port flushed on Friday. I will try and find out the name of the injection and let you know in case you want to ask about it.

Hello both, just to jump in, if you have a low white blood cell count the injection is called Filgrastim.  

To avoid any confusion for any other readers though platelets are different to white blood cells and it is my low platelet count that has caused my delay this time.  

Wishing you both all the best with your ongoing treatment.  

Sarah 16

Thanks for differentiating between the 2. As far as I know neutrophils is a type of white blood cell that effects the immune system. Whenever I had a blood test before chemo it was the level of neutrophils that determined whether the chemo would go ahead