Is this common..?

[ricky23]

Hi I posted on Monday that my Chemo. Carboplatin was cancelled as my oncologist said my red blood cells were too low 40 and should be 100. I had to have another blood test on Friday at my GPS ready for Monday so my oncologist can decide whether chemo will go ahead Tuesday. I told the nurse who I know quite well re red blood count... she looked at my blood results on the computer and said it's both your red and white counts that are low she showed me the results. Why wasn't I told this ?? Now I'm really worried. I'm nervous at the best of times. Has this happened to anone else during chemo.. both red and white ?? Thank you xxx

[Hidden]

Hi, yes after my 3rd chemo I was waiting for surgery and it got cancelled 3 times before my levels of both recovered. Chemo just blasts all the cells so this is quite common. Please try not to worry, your cells will recover eventually and you will be able to proceed. I understand your anxiety though.

Marian xxx

[Lyndy]

Hi Ricky

Yes this is quite common..this is why chemo is a pretty big deal..it decimates not just the cancer but other cells too. Be patient and get lots of rest..you'll get there xx L

[Hidden]

Hi Ricky yes our blood counts go all over the place but will recover, plenty of rest, eat greens and meat to bring your red cells up, the white cells will also recover. Unfortunately its all part of the normal while on treatment

[Choski]

Yes mine were down plus another 10 readings of other areas! You're being monitored and will be ok.

Xx

[Cropcrop]

Yep it is quite normal, it's part of the reason our immune system takes such a battering during chemo. It will recover in time xx❤Xx Jane

[jmackmom]

Yes it's common. I went through all 6 rounds without this problem but the drug effects can be cumulative. After my last treatment I couldn't see well, had loud constant noises in my ears, and couldn't walk a feet feet without having to lean on something and try to catch my breath. At my very last bloodwork I was rushed to the hospital for Neulasta ( the shot to bring up the white count) and an 8 hour transfusion for the red. I felt instantly better.

[remarkablynice]

Three of my 5 treatments have been delayed by an extra week. The first because of low WBC, the next two because of low platelets.

[ricky23 in reply to remarkablynice]

Did you feel unwell at all because of the low counts etc?

Thank you !! x

[remarkablynice in reply to ricky23]

The first time (Dec) I had some type of infection with fever so I felt that one.

The second time (Jan) I didn't feel any different when I had my blood work done so I was surprised by the delay. But after I had that treatment #4 it really knocked me out.

In Feb, I was still very down and out when I had my blood work done, so I wasn't surprised by the delay. Had #5 on Thursday along with a unit of RBC and I'm doing much better so far.