low blood counts after radiation and chemotherapy posted by Melanie Haiken @ 05:36 AM July 04, 2008

Melanie Haiken — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 05:36:10 -0000

Hi there, low blood counts are a common side effect of cancer treatment because chemotherapy drugs affect the bone marrow where new blood cells are produced. Your doctor's right, you usually need to wait for blood counts to come back up on their own. That said, there are things you can ask your doctor about. Make sure you've been given drugs called growth factors, that help your body make new white and red blood cells. Also, if your red blood cells or platelets are too low, you can have a transfusion; however that's usually only if your counts are very low and not coming back up on their own. Rest as much as you can, eat well, and take good care of yourself so your body can heal itself.

low blood counts after radiation and chemotherapy posted by LauraL @ 09:54 PM June 30, 2008

LauraL — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:54:47 -0000

Hi! Welcome to the Cancer support group.

Missy has already given you a great link to utilize, so I won't repeat that, but I'm hoping someone who has been in your shoes can give you a more specific review of how these things go.

Take care of yourself, and let us know what you learn.

~Laura

low blood counts after radiation and chemotherapy posted by Missy @ 06:12 PM June 30, 2008

Missy — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:12:48 -0000

Hello! Welcome to Caring's community. I'm glad you found us and posted!

I'm so sorry you're having to go through this treatment. I'm sure it's no picnic. :-(

I am certainly no expert on cancer or its treatment, I will tell you that I often hear about blood counts dropping and the need to recover from treatment and even delay additional sessions until the come up.

You may want to take a look at this set of articles, tools and news that relates to the side effects of cancer treatment. Hopefully you'll find some helpful information in there. I'm also hopeful that someone who has "been there done that" will post to help you out.

Keep us updated! And take care!

low blood counts after radiation and chemotherapy posted by Anonymous @ 05:50 PM June 30, 2008

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:50:00 -0000

After surgery (hysterectomy), the surgeon suggested "for insurance" 25 days of radiation and 5 sessions of once-a-week low-dose chemotherapy. After 22 (so far) days of radiation and 4 sessions of chemotherapy (the 5th was cancelled since the surgeon did not want to "push my body" any further), the blood counts (WBC, RBC, Hgb, Hct, etc.) dropped. The surgeon did not mention any supplements to help raise the blood counts and said they would come back up on their own. Does anyone know if this is normal and how long it takes to get rid of these "side effects"!

Mother has a gliobastoma brain tumor posted by Bunny @ 01:06 PM June 25, 2008

Bunny — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:06:57 -0000

Hi all,

Thank you for all your help.

Megigu, It sure sounds like we have alot of the same things going on right now. It is so hard to see mom which was once so strong and I always looked to her for answers and help now looking to me to see if she said the right things and looking at our expressions to know if she is thinking the right thing.

Moms platelet count is now up to 40. Her sugar is high then low. The steriod destroyed all the muscle in her legs but she is slowly getting that back too. She does little exercises and walks around (inside) the house. You mentioned that you moved back in with your mother, do you have any children? It is so hard sometimes for me to work full-time, take care of mom and dad and take care of my own family. I wish I could quit work and move in but thats not possibe. Mom only lives 7 miles from me so that helps alot. I feel that I am deserting my husband and son (12) but I have to do this. I couldnt imagine not being there for mom. Some people don't have it as good as we do. meaning there children or parents arent there for them.

Advice to me by a co-worker: There really is nothing you can do. What will be, will be. Just pray and put all your worries and fears in God's hands, and then enjoy your Mom. I feel I spent too much time fretting and didn't really just appreciate having her. One thing I have learned through the years is to not worry about things you can't control.

You take care and I hope to talk to you soon. Email me anytime snyderba@comcast.net.

mom-lung cancer-radiation on brain posted by Anonymous @ 05:32 AM June 25, 2008

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:32:13 -0000

Hi Susan,

I know a little of what you are going through. My mom died of lung cancer that grew aggressively in her brain....She received numerous whole brain radiation treatments. We learned how ruthless radiation can be....To save her life radiation help destroy a large tumor and numerous cancer seeds in her brain but along the way, healthy brain cells died as well. My dad said my mother lost her person in the process. My dad also had COPD and her suffering made everything harder for him.

I know that my mother knew love and felt love deeply. Work with that in mind. Just love her and remember who she really is.........Hang in there.....

Mother has a gliobastoma brain tumor posted by mine @ 08:59 AM June 23, 2008

mine — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:59:31 -0000

This is interesting about the combo. of Keppra and Vit.D and Calcium. I had not heard that these supplements affect Keppra's potency. I will try to make this change with my husband tomorrow. Thank you,

Gladys

Mother has a gliobastoma brain tumor posted by megigu @ 12:44 PM June 22, 2008

megigu — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:44:38 -0000

Hi Bunny,
My Mom also has GBM & she's past the doc's expectations by 6 mo's already and still doing well except for some mobility problems cuz she also has arthtitis. I wish I had some great secret to tell you to make this journey easier for you but it's going to seam unbearably difficult at times, but aren't all Mother/Daughter relationships? I don't have any support groups in my area either it's kind of rural. We have a two hour drive to the doctor. I learned to accept help when ever it's offered and take comfort anywhere I can find it to avoid feeling so isolated. And get a big notebook with pockets & a calender to keep track of your Mom's meds, Dr appointments, insurance stuff and I made note of any medical stuff like reaction to meds or falls & stuff to ask the at next Dr visit.

My Mom is still doing chemo 5days a month (she has problems w/ low platelets too) The only things that have helped her is to totaly eliminate chocolate and she drinks a mixture of Green Tea & Astragalus Tea (any health food store). And she's still on Keppra after 1 seizure we decided the benefit outweighed the risks. Make sure she doesn't just stop taking those or steroids you have to taper off. Also if she takes any supplements or vitamins take them seperately from meds. Calcium & vitamin D affect Keppra's potentcy. You can email me any time.

hair growth after chemo posted by megigu @ 12:13 PM June 22, 2008

megigu — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:13:55 -0000

My Mom also had radiation to her head so she has a spot that hasn't come back but the best advice I can give you is to use a gentle baby shampoo even tho your thinking why with no hair yet? It's to keep the follicles open, if they get plugged new hair will not grow from them. But don't waste your money on those expensive hair growth potions they're not worth the money. You'll be surprised how fast it'll grow once the little sprouts appear.

Mother has a gliobastoma brain tumor posted by mine @ 08:07 AM June 18, 2008

mine — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:07:23 -0000

A GBM is a major ordeal, but through support, friends, and much prayer you can make it through.

My husband was diagnosed las fall, 2007/ He had surgery Jan.2008, radiation, chemo., and two additional rounds of temador chemo. He looks good overall, but struggles with seizures and quite a bit of memory loss. We are praying that both will soon go away. We eat lots of veggies, brown rice, do the cottage cheese Budwig protocol, little meat and very little sugar. It seems that cancer loves sugar so be careful. Our last MRI was stable, praise God, good news. The next one is in one month. It can be a very trying and difficult time. I am in edge a lot of the time, but trusting that God will be gloried through his healing. I hope that this helps. You do need to be on top of meds and what the doctors are doing. You are your mom's best advocate.

Gladys

Any suggestions? posted by LauraL @ 09:05 PM June 11, 2008

LauraL — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:05:27 -0000

Hi, and welcome to the Caring groups! I'm glad you've found us.

While I don't have any answers for you, I'm sorry for the stress and worry you are feeling. Waiting for more information seems like torture sometimes. Do let us know what the diagnosis is, and know that we're here to help.

hair growth after chemo posted by Anonymous @ 07:46 PM June 11, 2008

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:46:12 -0000

Be patient, you are excited and I know you ought to be!

Your body has gone through quite a bit, so be assured that all in due time. Sometimes because we are "waiting" it takes twice as long. So keep your head up and remember just how beautiful you really are!

What I Wish I'd Known... posted by Melanie Haiken @ 07:37 PM June 11, 2008

Melanie Haiken — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:37:54 -0000

Gosh, so many things fall under this category, but there's one that really stands out when I look back on my time caring for my dad. The main one is that I wish we'd called in hospice, or palliative care, much sooner. We were really hung up on the idea that you don't call hospice until you're ready to say the word "dying," but then when we did that turned out not to be the case at all.

It turned out you can call hospice any time after getting a "terminal" diagnosis, even if it's vague and you don't know how much time the person has. And the hospice nurses were so knowledgeable and helpful; they had all sorts of suggestions for making my dad more comfortable that I wish we'd been given much sooner. Plus they had access to medications, particularly painkillers, that we'd had trouble getting from my dad's doctors. And it's all covered, financially. I'd tell anyone caring for a cancer patient to at least consult with hospice - it's worth it.

Any suggestions? posted by Anonymous @ 07:37 PM June 11, 2008

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:37:23 -0000

Found a tumor in my fathers leg, has a fatty tumor on back, middle top. Biopsy, CT scans, MRI, scheduled for "PET" scan? What does that mean????

Once a heavy smoker, quit for over 7 years-60year old caucasion male with history of MS.

Feels like we are going in circles.... He is very positive albeit the pain he is in is extreme-any words of days to come or what we should expect emotionally. Already breaking down when I am alone

What I Wish I'd Known... posted by LauraL @ 05:59 PM June 11, 2008

LauraL — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:59:16 -0000

Caring for your parents comes with a learning curve. We can't hope to know everything we'll need to know, or be fully prepared for the experience, but it helps to have others share their experiences, ideas, and most importantly, their feelings about the changes in their parents, and in themselves and their own lives.

To that end, we invite you to share those things you wish you had known when you started having to deal with a parent with cancer.

Expectations with cancer in lymph system posted by LauraL @ 03:36 PM June 03, 2008

LauraL — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:36:03 -0000

Hi Tyler,

I don't know why that would happen, but I'm glad you came by to ask. I'm hopeful that perhaps another member will have experience with this and can give you some answers. In the meantime, I'd love to suggest that you read through some of the Cancer articles available on the site, as they may provide the answers you're looking for.

http://www.caring.com/health/cancer

Expectations with cancer in lymph system posted by Missy @ 11:55 AM June 03, 2008

Missy — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 11:55:43 -0000

Hi Tyler,

While I don't have any great answers to your questions, I wanted to welcome to Caring's groups. I'm glad you found us and posted. I'm really hopeful someone with similar experiences and information will reply.

Expectations with cancer in lymph system posted by tyler @ 02:13 AM June 03, 2008

tyler — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 02:13:52 -0000

My sister's cancer symptoms are cancer cells that are showing up in her lymph glands in her neck and chest, causing them to swell. Doctors have been unable to determine the source of the cancer cells. She's been on chemo for several months, during which time her symptoms have been stable. In the past week, the lymph glands in her neck started to swell and are now quite painful.

What are the likely causes for this to happen? Does this mean the cancer is winning, or perhaps that doctors varied the type of chemo they gave her in her most recent treatment?

tooth loss posted by tyler @ 02:06 AM June 03, 2008

tyler — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 02:06:08 -0000

I'm sorry to hear about your tooth loss. My sister has cancer that doctors have been unable to diagnose, but the symptoms are cancer cells in her lymph system. Her teeth started to crack and break off BEFORE she started chemo.

is chemo worth it at a 20% chance of life posted by LauraL @ 04:04 PM June 02, 2008

LauraL — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:04:07 -0000

Hi,

How very, very difficult. I can't even begin to imagine. You would very much have to do the best decision making based on your feelings and your child's health, but I understand not prolonging pain if the pain doesn't result in a favorable outcome. It's so hard to judge and make that call, I know, and I'm thinking of you, thinking best thoughts for you all. Please do let us know how things are going.

LauraL

is chemo worth it at a 20% chance of life posted by Missy @ 11:25 AM June 02, 2008

Missy — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:25:26 -0000

Hello,

What a tough decision. I'm so sorry you're having to even ask these types of questions.

I'm a parent as well and let me tell you my thought process, disclaiming 99% because what we say as an armchair quarterback and what we'd do in anyone's shoes may be very different.

I've known people who have both sought out every possible treatment to prolong life and who stopped treatment altogether to enjoy what life was left. These were all adults and were fully capable of understanding and making that decision. Yet, I see both sides of the argument. I'm not sure that a child at 8 years of age could really contribute to making such a decision. And as a parent, I would want to know I did absolutely everything I could.

Is your son considered terminal, regardless of treatment? Is this chemo to prolong his life or a possible cure? If chemo fails, would he still be able to do as you described?

I wish you the very best of luck. You and your son will be in my thoughts.

is chemo worth it at a 20% chance of life posted by Anonymous @ 12:44 AM June 02, 2008

Anonymous — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:44:39 -0000

i have an 8 year son who has had NHL in 2006 was in remission until my ex wife decided to stop his at chemo medicine miss four chemo apt and rescheduled 13 of them bone marow is not an option the chemo is making him miserable his chance is less than twenty percent and autistic with severe developement delays is it worth the chemo to him or let him recover from the chemo affects and let him live out his life off it happy and back in school or let him suffer the way he is never happy anymore he does not talk no way to understand how he is feeling please let me here your opinions doctor stands by any decision i make whats best for him.

tooth loss posted by Anonymous @ 08:11 PM May 30, 2008

Anonymous — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:11:48 -0000

Hello, i was treated for nh lymphoma with 6 rounds of chem and 24 of radiation, I lost all my hair,a few fingernails, and 2 toenails, which have grown back, the strange thing is ,that my teeth loosened and fell out one by one, is this a common experience?

after Chemo side effects posted by Melanie Haiken @ 10:13 PM May 22, 2008

Melanie Haiken — Thu, 22 May 2008 22:13:44 -0000

Hi Becky,

I'm not sure exactly what causes the swelling in the face, feet and legs but it is true that steroids cause swelling, puffiness and weight gain for many people. Usually this is from edema, or water retention. Perhaps you could talk to your doctor about trying a different medication or a lower dose? You can also ask your doctor if it is safe for you to take a diuretic to help your body excrete the excess water. Many people find this helpful, but it can be hard on the kidneys if you have kidney problems, so you need to ask your doctor. Diuretic teas can also help. Other things you can try: exercise, as dig suggested (getting the blood moving helps with fluid retention) and elevating your feet and legs as much as possible.

Welcome, we're glad you're here. posted by LauraL @ 03:34 AM May 22, 2008

LauraL — Thu, 22 May 2008 03:34:11 -0000

Hello Rusty, and welcome! I'm so glad you've found us. It sounds like you've got your hands full, but your mom's positive attitude will help, it really will. Please keep us up to date on how things are going for you!

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