blood transfusion is this normal?????????????

[kaz39]

hi all, my mum had 4th chemo (carb) last tuesday, they said she needed a blood transfusion the next day 3 bags of blood for her red cells, they never explained why, mind you they never explain much, they said chemo is working, and cancer has shrunk, first it was non operable, but now its looking good she may be able to have an op to remove large mass if scan looks ok, next week (please god let it be ok), she has very advanced cancer bless her, i thought after transfusion she would be so energetic, but shes not, she feels very low, crying, and generally under the weather and sick, and just so fatigued, does anyone know is this due to chemo, blood transfusion, this disease or maybe a mixture of everything? as they said it was all working, i thought after 4th round of chemo she would be feeling much better, its so horrible to see someone you love so much go through all of this isnt it? im so sorry to ask all these questions, but doctors dont seem to answer any, i would be most grateful for all your fantastic knowledge. xx

[brthbbs]

Number 4 chemo was very hard on me for some reason--number five doeable and now that I've finished six (and last--yeah) I'm having a harder time recovering than from the others.  Don't know if it's a psychological effect or culumative physiological effect of the chemo.  I've kept up my red blood cell count by eating meat and whole grains--that's assuming you mom has an appetite--if she does it certainly will help for her to keep up her nutrition.  I second the anti depressant vote--the physical effects are difficult enough and the feeling of nothingness overwhelming sometimes.
Good thoughts for you mom's recovery.

[Tandy]

I have found I felt worse as the treatments continued and did not bounce about after two units of blood.   The thing to remember is that everyone is different and if the doctors believe the treatment is working they usually have a very good reason for that assumption.   It is very hard to be up beat all the time and some people do go throught a weepy stage but with the help for a loving family, which appears the case here, things will get better.   You must keep upbeat for her.
Best regards
Helen Jane

[xrayu2]

Unfortunatly, it can be a side effect of the chemo and I am sure that I would be a little doen knowing that I had to go thru all of the treatments.  I do know that several patients where I work are some ind of antidepressant.  Mayne if you ask the oncologist, they can prescribe her a "pick me up" pill.  I hope things start going better for you and your mother.