Newly Diagnosed And Frankly, It's Scary

Yes, they always do the blood work before chemo so that's the routine. I could go the day before for labs but I prefer to do it all in a single day, so a lot of waiting between appointments. If my numbers are too low the chemo may be delayed, or I could need a blood transfusion, etc. So far I'm hanging in there though some of my numbers are borderline. If my hemoglobin drops too low I'll have to have the Neulasta injection that causes pain in the long bones due to bone marrow involvement. Everyone says that shot and the side effects are horrible so I'm scared of that.

 

I predict an unpleasant and weepy week ahead. Ugh. My poor husband should get hazard pay for this.

 

At least your white count has to be above a threshold to give some types of chemo. They don't want to shut you down completely and make you very susceptible to all kinds of infection.

 

I didn't read your question totally correctly, John. The AC chemo is once every three weeks, so the blood work is also once every three weeks. One reason the treatments are spaced out is to give my blood counts time to repair themselves which often doesn't happen. I can tell my counts are down because I get short of breath climbing the stairs, which is unusual for me. I'm also concerned about my heart and potential damage from the AC, so I freak out at the smallest things these days.

 

This is one reason I'm pretty much confined to quarters these days. I'm also supposed to wear gloves if working in the garden, no shaving with a razor (not that I have anything to shave), be cautious when using kitchen knives, etc. If my hemoglobin drops below 8, I will have to have a blood transfusion.

 

Praying everything goes well for you tomorrow @Beth Gallagher.

 

What does your hemoglobin usually run? Have you had to be transfused? I really love your frankness and openness concerning your treatment, @Beth Gallagher.

 

In February when I started chemo, my HGB was 13.1 gm/dL. Here's my 5/18/21 results...



And no, I have not needed a transfusion up to this point, Don.

 

Thanks, Babs. I'm getting anxious so I need to calm down. I appreciate the prayers very much.

 

That looks outstanding for someone on the chemo regimen you are on!

 

Not bad for an old gal! (Of course I'll get my newest numbers tomorrow.) I just hope they hang in there and I don't need that "Neulasta" shot.

 

I hope you can maintain those numbers through the AC treatment. I believe the Absolute Neutrophil Count is the most important number....

 

I see my neutrophils are at 50.0 which seems to be in the normal range.