Advice Needed

[AstraP]

Hello, I am back after a while. My husband has completed 5 cycles now and the 6th was scheduled for last Monday. However the blood counts have not fully recovered, WBC - 1800 (ANC - 850). The oncologist said since the counts have not fully recovered, we will do it next week (which is tomorrow). However, blood counts have still not recovered, WBC - 1900 (ANC - 1010). Heamoglobin is at 10.2. Has anyone come across a similar situation regarding the time it is taking to recover ? Kindly advice.

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero]

Hi Sally

Read previous posts, I'm unclear what the treatment is, FCR or bendamustine/rituxan [BR]?

~chris

[AstraP in reply to Cllcanada]

Hi Chris, Treatment is BR.

[AstraP in reply to AstraP]

The doctor told us that recovery can take longer for the 5th and 6th cycle. Wondering if others have faced the same situation.

[eric72]

Hi AstraP, This is not uncommon and it happened to me on my third or fourth cycle. My bloods did recover a week later and treatment (R&B) was started again. This was last year and I am now in remission, so it was all worth it in the end.

[AstraP in reply to eric72]

Yes. Doctor does not seem worried and said that this was not uncommon.

[eric72 in reply to AstraP]

I should have wished you the very best of luck and a good outcome. Sorry.

[AstraP in reply to eric72]

Thanks. I sort of take this as already implied

[noeagaman]

Hello, I had FCR and on my third treatment cycle we had to postpone for a week for the same reason. Then after the fourth treatment cycle my blood counts went so low that my doctor decided to stop treatment all together. That was back in February and my counts are still not back to normal, but are rising slowly and I am getting monthly IVIG's. Hopefully your husband will recover and not have a simular problem.

Chris

[AstraP in reply to noeagaman]

Doctor said something similar. That the intention behind the Chemo is control (since it cannot be cured) and if its doing more harm, there is point in continuing. The positive is that hubby is otherwise quite healthy and energetic. So, doc's not worried.

[Marie-54]

I did 5 of 6 cycles then had to stop as the blood did not recover. 6 months later it is slowly creeping back uo towards the normal ranges

[AstraP in reply to Marie-54]

We're in the same position. But as I've said above, the doctor says that there's no rush and if it seems to do more harm, we may forego the 6th cycle completely.

[Marie-54 in reply to AstraP]

Correct it is not unusual to miss the last cycle and 5 probably did the trick anyway. I was postponed every week for a month before they decided to stop it completely. Good luck.