Low Red Blood Cell Count and Increasing White Blood Cell Count

[Searching48507]

Hi,

I am the primary caregiver for my 72 year old mom with OVCA.  She has had 2 cycles of Carbo/Taxotere and starts the 3rd cycle next week.  Her red blood cell count keeps dropping and they have been giving her the Aransp shots every three weeks to raise it since her hemoglobin is below 10.  Concurrently with that, her white blood cell have been elevated (now up to 28).  Two questions:

1.  Has anyone else experienced anemia with elevated WBC during treatment?  (We're seeing an infectious disease doctor and they're running blood cultures at this time....but the waiting is emotionally draining....)
2.  For those that have gotten the Aransp shots for anemia did you have fevers after the shot?

I'm just so concerned.  She was first diagnosised in Dec with stage 1 (had a high WBC at that time...) and then she had metatisized just 8 weeks later (through her bowels) and had a high WBC at that time as well.  I'm terrified that this means the treatments aren't working and she's been in so much discomfort.

Thanks Ladies!!!!

Karen

[Searching48507]

Donna,

Thanks for the input.  It's so strange that each time she has gotten the aranesp, she has drenching sweats and fever for  2 - 3 days.  Mom goes back to the Infectious Disease guy this morning.  I'm so concerned that it's the cancer back again...it's soooo agressive.  But, if it is, I need to be vocal with her oncologist about switching drugs and not giving up on her.  I know that her dr's are treating this pallatively, but I don't want them to give up, because WE"RE NOT.....

Thanks for the input.

Karen

[msjazz]

I am sorry your mom is having so much trouble. I don't have the answer to the difference in the red and white counts. Both of my counts go down right now. Maybe someone will know, let us hear how she does. I take aranesp but no fever from it.   Donna