~White Count At 900!! Uggh!!

[Believe51]

Despite the disciplined measures to eat and supplement, Hubby's white cells are at 900!! Today we will be of to get a dose of Neulasta to hopefully keep him on his regime timewise. You would think that one would feel weak with numbers that low but not My Oak. I just thought I would write, especially for our newbies who read such signatures as his, to help them to keep the faith. Although the Taxotere did work and almost achieved NED, he knew when it stopped working. He knew the Tykerb/Xeloda combination NEVER worked and that it made his numbers skyrocket. But he has said that he feels that this combo IS working!! Now no one knows for sure right now but I have to go by his feelings since they have always shined through for everything since the before we started this journey (he knew he was direly ill and an IBC dx almost always starts at stage 3B & above).

So friends, although this low count is disturbing to me, we were aware this may happen. We were ready and now we will fight back for that too. And to all our Newbies, I usually write more frequently to each and every one and if I have missed you Welcome!! Count our blessings and fight the best way we can. Sending love and hope>>Believe51

PS: Wanted to let you know he is taking all of his vitties like a good boy. Thank you My Supplement Gurus!! LOL!

[PinkGirl]

Hi Believe
I am very happy that Ed feels that this combo is working. When my blood would go very low, my onc said it was because the chemo was "working".

Just my 2 cents again (don't want to start any controversy). I had two docs and 2 oncs who told me that the chemo was going to wipe out my white cells regardless of what I ate or how I supplemented. They said if I ate well and took supplements that the chemo would just "gobble" that up along with everything else.

I felt absolutely fine when my white cells were low. It was when my red cells were low that I couldn't lift my head off the pillow. We must have a different way of measuring up here across the border. A normal white cell count is anything over 6 or 7. I went to 0.8..........they called me bubble girl. I just had to wait, and within about ten days, the counts came back up.

Just my 2 cents :)

[tousled1]

I'm with you PinkGirl -- I felt/feel like **** when my red count is low. Right now I'm lucky if my hemoglobin gets up to 9.7! Absolutely no energy. All my counts are low now. With the white counts when they get low you must worry about infection.

[hutchibk]

WBC that low means that you are in your 'nadir' (the point in your treatment when the counts fall to their lowest point, before they hopefully start to rise again on their own, http://www.chemocare.com/whatis/what_is_nadir.asp).

And that you are neutropenic... (meaning neutrophils are lower than 2000 and you are extra susceptible to infections, especially food borne illnesses.... http://www.nhlcyberfamily.org/neutropenic.htm)

I know you know all of this Marie - I was posting it for any newbies who might benefit from this thread...

[nitewind]

Just thinking of you and your Mighty Oak, Marie and wanted to let you know that you are always in my prayers. He's been good at knowing what's working and what's not so he's probably right on this one too.
Love to you both