Dad has to take another break from chemo, cuz of low white cell count..?

Question

very upset.. found out that my dad cannot have his chemo treatment this week..cuz of low blood count.. this happened last time too. He has colon cancer..and has to have 6 months treatments..so we were counting them down..(only has been able to have 2 so far..Folfox)..

Does this happen alot.. ? He has to give himself shot for 5 days.. If he can't do it, I will have to..but I have a needle phobia.. What is it like to do this?

Thanks.. upset daughter, Christine..

Answer 1

After each chemotherapy treatment you blood count drops.
(usually at its worst on about day 10).
As your body recovers from the chemo, your blood count starts to rise again.
This can take different times in diferent people due to a lot of underlyinf factors.
It is dangerous to have your treatment before your blood count has recovered.
Many patients have their treatments postponed if there blood count is still down.
Some even require transfusions.

Don't worry too much, and do what you need to so your dad recovers!

Answer 2

im sorry....i believe about his white cells that you really shouldn't go on a winter holiday because cancer patients inmune system tends to go down a lot during chemo...this means your dad could easily end up with pneumonia during this time of the year. I truly hope your dad gets better, so i would try to surprise him and bring the holidays to him. Try making a surprise party with his closest friends, rent movies, watch family videos, above all make him laugh a lot so he feels happy at all times. If you live in a place that snows then try getting some sand and bring it in to the house and build a sand castle or something like that with your dad so he doesn't miss going outside. Make a beach party inside of the house and ever make a CD with the ocean's sound. My prayers go to your family and your dad. Hope this works!

Answer 3

It's fairly common for people to have low white count as a result of chemo.

As for the shots, think of it this way. Your dad's life depends on him getting those shots. If you can't look, don't, but give him the shots. It's important.

Answer 4

Bless your heart hun...
Get in touch with the American Cancer Society in your area. They will have all kinds of information on the meaning of blood counts and what to do when they are too low. Understanding what is going on will take much of the fear out of the situation for you.
They may also send someone to give your dad the shots if you can't do it.

Answer 5

it's normal for patients that can't do every treatment. they're called neutropenic. they have no immune system while on chemo. the common cold can be very dangerous. if you need to give him a shot it's not bad. when i was in college we had to practice on each other. you just do it and when you're all done you'll feel good about yourself that you helped your dad and conquered one of your fears. hope this helps and good luck to your family.

Answer 6

Your post really made me sad....I lost my mother to colon cancer and I really feel your pain. You HAVE TO BE A BIG GIRL AND HELP YOUR DAD OUT NO MATTER WHAT YOUR FEARS ARE......be strong and proud that you still have your dad here to help out.....You will be glad that you could do something for him. God bless you and your family........White blood cells fight infection and it is common for this occur, because your body is trying to treat itself naturally.....I have been in your shoes and everything will be okay....Keep your faith alive and do not have fear.

Answer 7

Your doctor may monitor your blood cell counts carefully during your cancer treatment. There's a good reason you're having your blood drawn so often — low blood cell counts put you at risk of dangerous complications. Find out what your doctor is looking for and why it's so important to be vigilant for low blood cell counts. Know what you should be on the look out for, too.


What's measured in a blood cell count?

When your doctor looks at your blood cell counts, he or she is looking at your levels of:

White blood cells. These cells help your body fight infection. A low white blood cell count (leukopenia) can lead to infection, a dangerous and sometimes deadly complication of cancer treatment.
Red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. Your red blood cells' ability to carry oxygen is measured by the amount of hemoglobin in your blood. If your level of hemoglobin is low, you're anemic and your body works much harder to supply oxygen to your tissues. This can make you feel fatigued and short of breath.
Platelets. Platelets help your blood clot. A low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) means your body can't stop itself from bleeding, which could lead to dangerous blood loss.
If you're undergoing certain cancer treatments that could cause low blood cell counts, your doctor will likely monitor your blood cell counts regularly using a test called a complete blood count (CBC). Low blood cell counts are detected by examining a blood sample taken from a vein in your arm.

What causes low blood cell counts?

Cancer-related causes of low blood cell counts include:

Chemotherapy. Certain chemotherapy drugs can damage your bone marrow — the spongy material found in your bones. Your bone marrow makes blood cells. When it's damaged, your bone marrow doesn't produce as many blood cells and your blood counts drop. Your doctor can tell you whether your specific chemotherapy treatment and dose will put you at risk of low blood cell counts.
Radiation therapy. If you receive radiation therapy to large areas of your body and especially to the large bones that contain the most bone marrow, such as your pelvis, legs and torso, you might experience low levels of red and white blood cells. Radiation therapy is less likely to have a significant effect on your platelet count. Radiation combined with chemotherapy increases your risk of low blood cell counts.
Cancers of the blood and bone marrow. Blood and bone marrow cancers, such as leukemia, attack different parts of your bone marrow. The cancerous cells can displace other cells in your bone marrow, making it difficult for your bone marrow to produce the blood cells your body needs.
Cancers that spread (metastasize). Cancer cells that break off from a tumor can spread to other parts of your body, including your bone marrow. Some examples of cancers that could spread to your bone marrow include breast cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer. This is an unusual cause of low blood counts.