Labs 5/22

[Snowcone16]

I love my cancer center but I have to say that it was a bit disorganized this past week. But a good example for why we need to be informed and ask questions. I was supposed to have 2 sets of labs performed but only 1 was performed. They ordered my comprehensive but not the CBC w differential lab. So, the comprehensive said I was good to take my xgeva. But, of course I needed the status of WBC and neutrophils. One nurse said “you can use the 4/24 numbers”. I said “I don’t think so. They need to monitor my response to Ibrance”. She paged dr and sure enough, someone forgot to order.

Now I got results and I’m wondering if they forgot to call me. They said “go ahead and start. We will call you if you should stop”. WBC was 2.2 and absolute neutrophils .9, neutrophil %41.9

Second cycle so far has been uneventful. Liver numbers stable (although slightly elevated but I have an autoimmune disease of liver I hope reverses)

[Jerseygirl45]

I know how you feel. My doctor at the cancer center has not been in last few months. Family emergency they say. I like the new doctor but she is trying to read my chart from when diagnosed. But since all results get sent to me phone pet scan, blood, markers. I sat and caught her up and told her what I am do to have. Pet scan in June etc. we need to pay attention, this is our life here. Doctors make mistakes too. But lucky she is very nice. Asks a lot of questions. Interested.

[Tap321]

My wbcs often are 1.9 and anc around same and I have never stopped ibrance. Glad you advocated for yourself.

[Snowcone16 in reply to Tap321]

Thanks for sharing your numbers. That’s exactly what I was wondering. So, guess I’m still set for this cycle. Have a great weekend!

[Tap321 in reply to Snowcone16]

Actually my anc has been as low as .6 once and it never stopped my ibrance. My oncologist is aggressive and most of his over 100 pts on ibrance taking highest dose. Even when I had flu ibrance never stopped. Usually my numbers are around .9 . Wishing you best!

[Rhwright12]

Always know what your on and what u need...I was almost given the wrong/extra meds twice...I used to write on the chart when I signed in whether I needed labs or not otherwise I’d sit there for an hour while they thought they were waiting for my labs but I was told it was a port draw...the best was when I recently had my surgery and my infusion center sent to the hospital that I was on Tamoxifen and Oxicodone...Seriously! Not on either! But yep that’s typical! I wish I could make 3-400k a year and make that many mistakes! My company is over the top crazy about paperwork issues! Lol 😂But yea know that’s going on...

[Snowcone16 in reply to Rhwright12]

It’s interesting because the nurse at my pharmacy said “oh, you can’t take folsadex and Ibrance. That’s like double of the same med”. I had my doubts on that advice though. I understand that the folsadex is to make me menopausal. I verified with the dr anyway and was good to go w both.

[Kabe in reply to Snowcone16]

Ibrance and faslodex are not the same- one stop adrenals from converting testosterone to estrogen and the other kills the estrogen receptors on the cancer cells So the cells die due to lack of food

My husband and one of my brothers are scientists- the reason for long explanation 😃

[Snowcone16 in reply to Kabe]

Thank you! I learned something new 😊

[Jerseygirl45 in reply to Kabe]

You are right. That is just how my doctor explained it.

[Snowcone16]

Yes, there have been a couple hiccups w the stage 4 diagnosis...I do feel like the staff is quick to correct it. And the good thing is they never send me on wild goose chases. I can ask anyone there a question and that individual will follow through to personally get me responses.

[blms]

The neutrophils are the real issue. They are your production of white cells, like baby cells turning into the WBC. My onco at Georgetown makes me hold if under 1.0 on Ibrance until they bounce back up. What day of Ibrance were these drawn?

[Snowcone16]

These were drawn on the last day of the 7 day break. So, I hadn’t quite started day 1 of cycle 2.

[Kabe]

I’m kind of feeling the same - tests/ scans / results are not as organized this time around as in the original dx😕

You are your best advocate even when you’re exhausted🤪