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Friday, May 01, 21:03:18 [ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, [6], 7 ]
Subject: 41st CHEMO


Author:
Stacy
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Date Posted: 11:09:59 09/17/04 Fri
 I had my 41st chemo yesterday. The nurses always draw blood first to check the counts of the red blood cells, white blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and platelets. If everything is within a decent range, I will receive chemo.



These are the descriptions of the different types of cells within the blood:


Platelets – blood cell particles involved with the forming of blood clots. If they are too low and you get a cut, you could bleed to death. Normal range between 140 - 440.

RBC – red blood cells measure the number of blood cells available to carry oxygen to all cells. Normal range between 4.20 - 6.10.

WBC – white blood cells are the body’s primary defense against disease. White blood cells help fight infection. Normal range between 4.8 - 10.8.

Hematocrit – measures the volume of red cells that transports oxygen through the blood stream to all cells of the body. Oxygen is needed for healthy organs. It is an indicator of the mass of red blood cells. Normal range between 37.0 - 52.0.

Hemoglobin – a chemical compound inside red cells that transports oxygen through the blood stream to all cells of the body. Oxygen is needed for healthy organs. Hemoglobin gives the red color to blood. Normal range between 12.0 - 18.0.

I almost didn't have chemo because my platelet count was so low. It was only 91. My red blood cells were only at 3.66, my hemoglobin was 11.8, the hematocrit was 33.9, and my white blood cells were right on the border at 4.8. You can read the normal ranges above. This definitely has an impact on how fatigued I get. Well I definitely had to have the shot of Aranesp in my belly to replenish my blood counts.



My nurse, Tracey, talked with Dr. Hahn to determine whether or not I would get chemo. He decided I would get it but only 60% of the dosage he normally gives me. Normally I receive 2000 micrograms but this time I only received 1200 mg's. That's the first time we've had to reduce the dosage. Fortunately that was the last treatment of this round so I will be on a break next week. My blood counts should recover nicely.

Last edited by author: Fri September 17, 2004 11:11:50   Edited 1 time.

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Replies:
[> Subject: Week off


Author:
Cliff
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Date Posted: 00:15:49 09/18/04 Sat
I guess having every fourth week off from chemo helps, huh? My dad seemed to think so. It gave him a little extra time to get his weight back up a little, regain some strength, and get his blood counts back up. Maybe you'll be strong enough to leap tall buildings in a sinle bound!
[> [> Subject: HI CLIFF


Author:
Stacy
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Date Posted: 23:16:22 09/22/04 Wed
That 4th week always helps. I have been REAL tired this week so I am relieved to have this week as a break week. I called the nurses today to ask them if I needed to come in to have my counts checked this week since the platelets were low last week. They said no but I need to watch for bruising for no reason. If my platelets were down to around 50 then I would have needed to go back in to be checked.

I don't have the problem of losing weight. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. LOL! I have definitely put on a few pounds thoughout this journey. I'd like to lose some of it but they say you shouldn't lose too much weight while on chemo. Supposedly it helps to keep weight on.

How is your dad doing these days?
[> [> [> Subject: Hi Stacy!


Author:
Cliff
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Date Posted: 23:23:24 09/23/04 Thu
My dad lost a little weight during chemo. They had him eating all kinds of things--stuff that would normally be considered fattening--to try to keep up his weight as much as possible. He was eating ice cream every evening! I'm sure your doctor is happy that you can keep your weight up. Dad is doing quite well. In fact, I had a message from my mom yesterday. She said:

Flash!!!! Pop's x-ray today showed no tumor!!!!!! The doctor was so pleased, we both got the impression he doesn't often get to give such good news. We saw the first x-ray and todays. I am glad I didn't see the first one then, I saw it today and the tumor looked huge to me!!!! But todays showed nothing!!!!! We are indeed happy. We know too, that if a single cell got away it could turn up somewhere else. but that is not on our minds, we are just going to enjoy every day as it comes.
He still has the numbness, that could take months to go away. Pop says it is just a mite better, he doesn't use the walker so much now, just if he will be walking distances without anything to lean on. In Wegmans he uses a cart, today he walked all over the hospital to have the x-ray and then hand carry it to the doctors.
[> [> [> [> Subject: CONGRATULATIONS


Author:
Stacy
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Date Posted: 00:41:07 09/29/04 Wed
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOUR DAD!! I bet he's thrilled there's no tumor!! That's wonderful news!! Yea, the numbing can take quite a while to go away. Maybe even up to a year. I will continue to keep him in my prayers. I will pray that the cancer doesn't come back.
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