Chemo and social life

[Tinuriel]

My husband and I are both freshly aware of his need to avoid getting ill due to low white blood cell count - his is only 1.93, and that's 10 days after his first treatment. He's opting to work from home (on the days that he's not wiped), but with holidays coming and plans to gather with family, we're concerned.

I'm curious, how have those of you in similar circumstances navigated this issue? And what's the WBC count that's the threshold for giving the next treatment?

Thanks for any and all help. I can't tell you how much this group means to me right now.

[Bspouse]

did they give him Neulasta when he had chemo? My husband had that and it kept his WBC up.

[Tinuriel in reply to Bspouse]

Thanks for replying! He did not receive it the first time, but I asked (after learning about it here in the forum) about Neulasta, and the doctor agreed (probably would have without my mentioning it) and is adding it for ongoing treatments.

[MiaAmia in reply to Tinuriel]

Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) is quite expensive so hope it's covered for you, but it is very effective. We could go to a clinic to have it administered, but it is a very easy shot to give, so have the clinician show you how, then you can do it yourself for him, which makes the timing of the shot much easier (it must be given after 24 hours). Hint: be sure to insert the needle with the slanted opening facing up.

[Tinuriel in reply to MiaAmia]

I'll ask about that, thanks MiaAmia!

[swwags]

I'm not a doctor and my current chemo treatment is for blood cancer. Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cell. They are your body's main defense against infection when bacteria, viruses, or other germs enter your body.

ANC or absolute neutrophil count is what my Oncologist advised to keep my eye on. Anything 500 or lower is an extremely high risk of infection. Sometimes it's measured differently with a normal range of 1.6-6 K/ul, in which case anything @ 1 or lower is dangerous. So no matter how the test is performed, they use these numbers. Right now, I'm holding in the middle.

My wife and I preemptively made arrangements for our kids to host Christmas and Thanksgiving. I will remain at home. If you watch Modern Family, I will play the role of Robot Phil. It sucks.

[Tinuriel in reply to swwags]

"1.6-6 K/ul, in which case anything @ 1 or lower is dangerous" - His is at 0.20. Being extra careful right now!

[MouseAddams in reply to Tinuriel]

When my hubby was getting chemotherapy he too had Neulasta. This kept his WBC’s in a safe range. Not sure but I think it helps platelets too. As for the holidays we kept them to ourselves but FaceTime with people was better than nothing.

[swwags in reply to Tinuriel]

.2 or 2? .2 he should consult his oncologist. If you meant @ 2, that's means in my world stay out of restaurants, grocery stores, coffee shops, etc... wash hands constantly. I live in northern climate or I'd do outdoor dining. Too cold for that here. I am golfing a lot, It's cold but safe. I run (ok jog) 15 miles a week. I belong to a gym and may use the pool but still shower at home. Another gym close by is all but empty in the AM, so in a few rows of 30 treadmills there may be two people on them. I use disinfectant on the machine, arrive and leave in my gym clothes, shower at home. I drive my wife to Target and she goes in. I stay in the car.

[Benkaymel in reply to swwags]

In the UK white cell count is measured in units of 10*9/L which I think is the same as K/uL. The normal range is stated as 4 to 10. I'm at 6.4 but start chemo tomorrow. Will see how it goes!

[Tinuriel in reply to Benkaymel]

Praying it goes well for you!

[Benkaymel in reply to Tinuriel]

Thanks and all the best to you and your husband.

[Nusch]

I was also very low, lowest was 300 (and platelets were at 57 only). This was with Neulasta, but only on day 8+9 after end of chemo cycle. I’ve got a lot of additional medications such as Valaciclovir and others to fight potential infections. When I did another blood test on day-10, leukocytes were back in pretty safe area again. So at least for me, my very „low days“ were limited to 2 or 3 days only.

[Benkaymel in reply to Nusch]

Platelets in the UK are measured in units of 10*9/L. Normal range is 150 to 410. I'm at 321 but start chemo tomorrow.

[Nusch in reply to Benkaymel]

Yes, I know. And I have been at 57.

[Tinuriel in reply to Benkaymel]

Platelets are good at 237, thankfully!

[Benkaymel in reply to Tinuriel]

Had my first chemo infusion yesterday so feel ok right now but I'm sure things will go south over the next few days! They gave me a dexamethasone infusion 1/2 hour before the chemo and prednisolone tablets to take home and have every day during chemo. Also gave me filgrastim injections to have over the next 7 days.

Fingers crossed I tolerate it well!

[Tinuriel in reply to Benkaymel]

We are just two steps ahead of you! Watching my husband on dexamethasone was almost comical. Yes, you will be wiped, but it will pass. Praying for you...

[Benkaymel in reply to Tinuriel]

Thanks. Interesting, dexamethasone has had no noticeable effect on me - I've felt pretty fatigued all the way so far. I guess we're all different.

[Union98]

My husband was lead guitarist for a local rock cover band and continued to play gigs during his 6 rounds of taxotere. He wasn't the most social anyway, so he kept more to himself during breaks, before and after the gig and used tons of hand sanitizer. He also had the band schedule gigs the weekend before treatment so he had time between to get his strength back. By the end of his treatments, he wasn't able to haul equipment (we were using large active speakers that were really heavy - after he fell down the stairs he stopped doing as much during load out) but he could still play. He also was able to work from home the week following treatment. Our son-n-law was hospitalized (MS) during that time so he wore a mask whenever he went to visit. He also convinced the oncologist to lower taxotere dosage by 10% which also helped with his blood counts. This was in the spring of 2017. I also used Lysol wipes on everything all the time to help keep things sanitized.

[Tinuriel in reply to Union98]

That's hopeful - thanks, Union 98!

[Cancer2x]

Hi! I’m just a PCa patient, but I know that they have now developed a “Neulasta Pump” that is attached to the body using the same technology as an Insulin pump. Avoids the need for shots every day! As your Dr about one. Makes life a lot less complicated.

Best to you!

PAX

[Tinuriel in reply to Cancer2x]

Our Dr actually mentioned that, but it's expensive and it's just one shot post treatment, so we'll manage with the low tech. But thanks for the idea!

[Cancer2x]

Great! I remember driving in to the hospital every day after chemo for a Neulasta shot for a friend with breast cancer. If it’s just a one shot deal the that is terrific! Good luck!

[MarkBC]

Personally, I wouldn't risk it. Each subsequent infusion of chemo is progressively more difficult on the body. If there are children who are in school in December, goodness knows what types of viruses they will bring home. I would wait and hold a family celebration dinner in February when chemo is finished.

[Tinuriel in reply to MarkBC]

We are slowly coming to grips with possibly needing to do this. Thanks, Mark.

[j-o-h-n]

With holidays coming and plans to gather with family, we're concerned.

Stay home!!! Video chat the whole family and continue passing around that Christmas fruit cake that Aunt Betty baked in 1986 (or could it be from 1886?..... Naw...)

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Thursday 10/19/2023 5:31 PM DST

[Richieis1]

I went to be with the family last Christmas and they shared Covid.Sure am going to miss them this year.