Is that the absolute number or the percentage? Multiply the percentage times the white count to get the absolute if it is not given, but most CBCs these days have the absolute already calculated.
The absolute number compensates for a decreasing white count while the neutrophils stay up as a percentage. Usually oncologists I know use the absolute number to determine whether it is safe to continue chemo. Your absolute neutrophil count given the 10.8 WBC and the 52% neutrophil number would be 5616. Normals vary by facility, but most are around 1600 to 6000 for a normal. The chemo cutoff for your facility and protocol will be determined by your oncologist. Ask if you are interested, but since you appear to be in the high normal, it shouldn't be an issue for you...which is very, very good!
My doctor is quite pleased with my blood work and doesn't foresee my having the dreaded Neulasta. I've been focusing on eating more protein and dark green vegetables; not sure if it helps or if just a good reason to enjoy steak.
What a long day we had today. Up at 5 a.m. to be downtown by 7, and got home just before 6. I'm dragging anchor. My visit with my doctor went really well. I've been able to draw him out a bit and he's quite personable. I told him today that I am a world-renowned Internet MD and he laughed out loud. He's very positive about my prognosis and that always lifts me up. We are hoping for a "pCR" with my treatment... Pathologic Complete Response, which will give me much higher survival odds. I also met with the MDA pharmacist who thinks part of my issues with this chemo may be that I am slightly dehydrated, so they added a bag of fluids to my IV today. So we'll see. At least I know that the bad days last only about a week so I can handle it. I typically drink a lot of water, but with my taste buds out of whack it's hard. I ordered some hard candies from Amazon, thinking that maybe I can have one of those in my mouth to help with the taste; many people use a squirt of lemon which I will also try. I feel pretty good this evening since they loaded me up with pre-meds (steroid, anti-nausea, Ativan, etc.) By tomorrow those will have worn off and I'll be whiny. So now I can put this behind me until June 29 when I'll have #3. Halfway done, y'all!!
Couple of pics of the "Red Devil" being administered. I'm feeling pretty shaky today; slept until 6 a.m. and now I'm thinking it's time for a nap. Last night I had awful heartburn which is a side-effect of the AC, so I decided to make use of the adjustable bed and it worked like a charm. No nausea yet but I'll be starting the medication in a little while to try to ward it off.
That makes me happy, too. I was wondering if you were doing something to get more iron in your diet. I'm sure you got some good steak in your area (although I enjoyed my business trips to Kansas back in the day because of their beef.) edit to add: I like the idea of including fluids with that stuff.
I was diagnosed on July 2, 2019 with an aggressive lung cancer and i am happy to say that, after months of chemo, radiation and immunotherapy, my most recent ct scan yesterday (June 10, 2021) is still showing major improvement. Enjoying one day, one moment at a time. All the best to you Beth... hang in there THERE IS HOPE... To YOU and ALL that are going or have gone through this, I send loving thoughts and my sincerest...
Thanks so much, Sunny. I'm so sorry to hear about your having to deal with cancer treatment; it is horrible. I'm glad to hear that your recent scan shows improvement.