Low platelets and neutrophils

[mpelaez]

Hello.. my Mum is having 5th line chemo, however this time Carbo only. She has gone through so much, but continues to fight. Full hysterectomy 4 years ago, 2 brain Mets, 2 brain surgeries.. chemo, radiation. It is awful. She started Carbo only 3 weeks ago, this weeks chemo delayed due to low platelets and neutrophils. She has had low neutrophils in the past but never low platelets. She has told me that she has some vaginal bleeding, which I know is not good. She has had vaginal bleeding previously due to tumour on vaginal vault but had radiotherapy. I’m not sure if bleeding is from the tumour or platelets. I know this is a question for the dr but has anyone experienced this before?

[lorraine71-Australia]

Hi, your mum has indeed gone through a lot in the last 4 years and she still finds the strength to continue to fight .

As for low platelets that is quite common with chemo I'm on my 6th line of treatment and have had my treatments stop at times, one time so low that I had to have blood transfusion., platelets will come back up and she can continue with treatment.

She does need to go and have the bleeding checked out as you already know.

I do understand how hard it is to fight for so long I feel for your Mum, it's good she has your support. best wishes to you both Lorraine xx

Ps this post might be of interest

rediff.com/getahead/report/...

[mpelaez in reply to lorraine71-Australia]

Thanks Lorraine. We are in Australia too and she is being treated at Westmead NSW. Hugs to you also for having to go through this, it’s a hard road, but also makes you grateful for the relationships and memories you have.. Mum often tells me the fight is for the kids and grand kids xx

[lorraine71-Australia in reply to mpelaez]

Hi , I live in the blue mountains and go to Penrith clinic but just finished a phase one trial at Westmead ,it was not chemo I had to come off chemo to do this trial, if they get the results they want it is a drug the makes cancer more sensitive to chemo aimed at recurrence in ovarian cancers.

How good that would be as we all know ovarian cancer has a history of recurring.

Your mum is right some times I do think is it worth continuing, then I had that lovely mothers day dinner with all my family and yes it is ..Take care Lorraine xx

[mpelaez in reply to lorraine71-Australia]

Thank you for the link also.. I try and get most of this ingredients and put them through a cold pressed juicer so it’s easier for her to consume.. x

[Hidden]

Papaya leaf tea is allegedly good for both. I've been taking it for getting on for 6 months now and they certainly have been holding up better than I've been used to.

Good luck to you both

[Maxjor]

Like Mac27-UK, my platelets are usually my biggest issue with bloodwork. I started a PARP and know that affects platelets so after my first week, they went from 140 to 132, then I started the tea and a week later, the were 147 (while taking same regimen). Now waiting to see if they go up again while continuing to drink a cup a day. My onc is not a believer but no one believed Claritin could stop the bone pain from Neupogen shots but it did.....so I am not stopping until I see the platelets go in a different direction.

Good luck!

Judy

[Yoshbosh]

I ate papaya...forced the dratted stuff down because I’m not a fan, but having read the link from Lorraine and what Mac has said, I’d go for the tea next time... Pomegranate is meant to be very helpful, as is beetroot (both blood-coloured). Fingers crossed for your mum, Vicki x