platelets dropping - what does it mean?

[Pam P]

Last week I couldn't start the navelbine because my platelets were 89 and that was 2 weeks after my last chemo of taxol/carbo. After 2 weeks off my platelets have always bounced back to way over 100. This week, now 3 weeks with no chemo, my platelets were even lower: 87. I got the chemo anyway, but I think only because the nurse missed it (I think my onc. order says it has to be at least 90). I have a cold and asked if that could affect platelets although colds haven't affected it in the past. The nurse said no. I asked what could - other than chemo - & she said that would be a question for the doctor. If the cancer is out of control could that make the platelets go down?

The research nurse spoke to me & said she searched & there was no trial that I fit into. She & the other nurses seemed to have an attitude that my latest scans, tumor markers results, and move to return to navelbine were all very bad signs - although they were careful not to come out & say that. And I asked if it was true that going back to a previous chemo ususally wasn't very successful & they agreed. I'm really feeling that I'm losing ground fast. Thanks for listening - as always.