treatment stopped

[mpelaez]

hi.. mum had breast cancer 18 years ago, then diagnosed with fallopian tube cancer (not secondary to bc) in 2014, 2 recurrences and mets to brain in Dec 2016. She was due for 3rd line chemo today for 2nd recurrence however onc has cancelled due to low neutrophils even though they have gone up considerably since last week. Multiple delays in treatment due to neutrophils and hemoglobin being low. We are disappointed that chemo was cancelled as it's her last cycle and drs are not letting us know what's happening until next week.. hospital nurse just called to let us know without letting us know anything else, and we have been trying to call the hospital..which is pretty standard..feeling devastated, scared and frustrated.. she is such a strong woman and my heart breaks for her.. hoping anyone can share experiences xxx

[Yoshbosh]

Hi mpelaez

My chemo was delayed twice due to low neutrophils, but I always got there in the end. My last round was delayed by a week and I was gutted because I was so looking forward to it all being over.

I hope you are able to speak to the hospital to get some advice.

Yosh

[mpelaez in reply to Yoshbosh]

thank you.. have only managed to speak to the clinical nurse specialist who is trying to move our appt with the oncologist earlier.. mum won't be getting the last cycle at all..

[LittleSan]

I don't have any experience of this myself but I know there have been lots of ladies on here who have only had 4 or 5 of the planned 6 cycles because of harsh side effects but the treatment has gained good results. There is a school of thought that says stop the chemo when an improvement has been achieved rather than go blindly for the full 6 in order to minimise side effects (can't remember where I've read that). Hope this is the same for your mum. Take care. Sandra xx

[mpelaez in reply to LittleSan]

thanks, fingers crossed... it's just disappointing to see when she is so set on getting better and she is unable to receive treatment..

[Jessica-DianeB]

There are strict guidelines when it comes to neutrophil levels. Due to the fact they fight infection. Chemo almost always knocks your counts down further so even if your mums are at a protocol level perhaps her oncologist is mindful they will drop. Fighting an infection is serious with low neutrophils so I'd say it's worth the wait if this is their reason. ( no expert, just had this with my son a lot! )

I hope you can get through to the hospital and find out if this is the case, if not I hope they will have a good reason to satisfy your mind.

All the best to your mum, she sounds a brave lady xx

[mpelaez in reply to Jessica-DianeB]

thanks.. i do understand low neutrophils is quite dangerous, it's just hard to see mum being so set on receiving treatment and she is unable.. they aren't delaying, they aren't going to give the last cycle at all.. it's the lack of communication that's frustrating, at the moment we are in limbo.. she is so brave xx

[Jessica-DianeB in reply to mpelaez]

Ah I see. You deserve answers as to why, feel for you both.

Keep us posted and verified best wishes xx

[thesilent1]

Hi, I'm sorry your mum has had this delay. I suffered south low neutrophils both first line and second line treatments resulting in delays, mainly of one or two weeks but during both lines, I actually had delays of 7/8 weeks. You feel like your never going to get started again but one registrar said to me, if the chemo is having this effect on your blood, just imagine what its doing to the cancer! Ann xx

[mpelaez in reply to thesilent1]

thank you.. i've never really thought of it that way.. wishing you all the best x

[chrissapam]

have you discussed the possibility of a blood transfusion...my nutrophils went up after one

but that is not actually what the transfusion was for I don't think.

It's worth asking....love to you and your mum Chris x

[mpelaez in reply to chrissapam]

thanks, she has had 4 blood transfusions for her hemoglobin., which helped.. love to you also.. these forums make this journey a little easier to bare at times x

[chrissapam]

am really sorry. If its any comfort to you I'm about to have my 3rd....will see what all the results are then(!) Do keep posting or messaging if that proves difficult....Chris xx Love to your mum