low blood count

[JANDS]

Hi ladies - here to bother you again! My mum is having weekly chemo for six months for recurrent ov.ca.  Has had two sessions and went for third and bloodcount too low. She feels great and is veryactive all the time( rest of the family think too active!) She says when she feels fine she wants to continue to do things but she is ALWAYS on the go.  Would taking things a little easier help with the blood count or should we leave her to do as much as she feels like doing? This is a lady who does not admit to being tired and would do things despite this !

[Schoolmarm]

I'm going to vote along with the other posters.  I had to do the neulasta and neupogen shots, and it was just one more part of treatment.  It didn't matter what I was doing in terms of activity, the chemo had its way with my blood and the rest of my cells.  The doctors have the answers.  Ask them what she can do to build her red cells.  

Encourage your mom to get out and do whatever feels good to her.  She can lie down later when she's not feeing so good.  There's absolutely no reason to let chemo be a jail sentence.  The only place I drew the line was when it came to dangerous activities that could have resulted in an injury that might have cost me time in chemo.  She might want to avoid being around children with infectious diseases, and hang-gliding is probably best left till after the last treatment.  Otherwise, I say stand back and get out of her way!

[crecco]

Let mom stay as active as she wants. I am sure that it is the chemo causing the low counts as this is a problem with most chemos. Neulasta and neupogin are both good for low white counts if her Dr thinks it is needed. Sometimes a slight cold can cause the white counts to be low also and an antibiotic can take care of that. It is not that all uncommon to have to miss a treatment due to low counts, but we would all rather be able to get them on time. There is also a shot that works in the case of low red counts if they think she might be anemic, but I cannot remember the name of it.
  As long as she is feeling good that is the main thing. And if she feels well enough to continue on as she always has then you all should consider that great! You mustr understand, that for many of us, being able to carry on with our lives as always, is one of our ways of fighting this. If mom does not feel like slowing down, then she won't. Your mom sounds like a very strong woman determined on fighting this with all she can. Back her up on this. She needs your positive support and probably does not want to hear that she should take it easy and slow down. Unless her Dr specifically tells her that she needs to take it easy, then she is doing just fine.
I wish her the very best.
  Chris

[vegas2cr]

Just so you know that Neulasta is ONLY a help for white blood cell count... For red there is opogen and or transfusions.. sorry that Scotland doesn't pay for that.. Here in Costa Rica they also don't pay and so I had to buy the neupogen myself...Speedy recovery to you rMum

[JANDS]

Thanks for your replies - good to hear that she can keep going asthat is what would really make her happy!.  Heard about Nuelasta after reading this site but in Scotland they are unwilling to finance that drug because of the price. Think they are going to lower the strength of chemo and hopefuly she'll get it again next week. Thanks again and best wishes to you
Jackie x

[ILoveMyWifeForever]

It is probably a very good thing for your Mom to be more active.  Not only will it be good physically, but it will help her emotional health to be out doing things with friends and family and such.  Walks in the sunshine and fresh air can do wonders! :-)

The only suggestion I would offer is that if her white blood counts are low, she needs to take a bit more care about being around lots of other people, especially if they might have a cold or the flu, etc.  If her white counts are low, it will make her more vulnerable to illness.  Having said that, I wouldn't worry too much about it but instead just be sure to wash hands frequently, use hand sanitizer, etc.

As dcosprings suggested, there are some drugs that can boost her counts, but they can be expensive and they sometimes have side effects of their own.  Your Mom can consult with her doctor for ideas on how to handle the low counts.

[dcosprings]

Has your Oncologist discussed Nuelasta with your Mom....

Wonderful drug, a bit expensive but it enhances the production of red adn white cells to keep the counts up ....

Worth looking into if it prevents trasnfusions

[vegas2cr]

Let your Mum do as much as she would like.. I had frequent blood transfusions for low counts and I know I did what I wanted.. Chemo is toxic and whether she sits or stands or runs around will not alter that the chemo itsefl is lowering the counts... My personal experience and my oncologist encouraged me to get up and move as much as  possible and I think it helps emotionally dealing with this dreaded disease.. Good luck to your Mum   Ronni