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RhondaH · 05-03-2006, 06:22 AM

I hope someone can answer this question for me. Is there any standard of care for low white blood cell counts? How low will they be allowed to go before something is done? (such as Neupogen, hospital, etc). Any information you can provide me with will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Beth

I had 6 rounds of dose dense TEC (Taxotere, Epirubicin and Cytoxan). Because of the dose dense chemo, I got a shot of Neulasta the day after every chemo and was fine until the 3rd one (then the vomitting started). I did fine (my onc called me his "chemo poster child") until the week after my last chemo which hospitalized me) I was hospitalized as I was vomitting non stop for 24 hours and while I was at the clinic and my nurse was trying to get it to stop, my fever spiked to over 101, so she called the hospital and told them to expect my. While there my wbc got down to 200 and they WANTED to give me a blood transfusion...my platelets were 8.1 and the MANDATORY transfusion limit was 8.0, so I declined (I didn't want to add to my problems)...I was there 3 days. My goal the entire time was to get all of my treatments on time and at full dose (I've heard of them lowering the dosage) and I did and continue to get the Herceptin every 3 weeks until 8/10/06. My onc said last Thurs that my blood work was strong and that he didn't need to see me (but continue the every 3 week Herceptin...5 more to go) for 3 months. My suggestion is to eat/drink lots of protein and walk as much as you can each day ( I was doing 2 miles a day until the 3rd chemo...then I slowed down). You can do it. Take care and God bless.

Rhonda

05-03-2006, 06:22 AM	#3
RhondaH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 1,516	Beth... I hope someone can answer this question for me. Is there any standard of care for low white blood cell counts? How low will they be allowed to go before something is done? (such as Neupogen, hospital, etc). Any information you can provide me with will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Beth I had 6 rounds of dose dense TEC (Taxotere, Epirubicin and Cytoxan). Because of the dose dense chemo, I got a shot of Neulasta the day after every chemo and was fine until the 3rd one (then the vomitting started). I did fine (my onc called me his "chemo poster child") until the week after my last chemo which hospitalized me) I was hospitalized as I was vomitting non stop for 24 hours and while I was at the clinic and my nurse was trying to get it to stop, my fever spiked to over 101, so she called the hospital and told them to expect my. While there my wbc got down to 200 and they WANTED to give me a blood transfusion...my platelets were 8.1 and the MANDATORY transfusion limit was 8.0, so I declined (I didn't want to add to my problems)...I was there 3 days. My goal the entire time was to get all of my treatments on time and at full dose (I've heard of them lowering the dosage) and I did and continue to get the Herceptin every 3 weeks until 8/10/06. My onc said last Thurs that my blood work was strong and that he didn't need to see me (but continue the every 3 week Herceptin...5 more to go) for 3 months. My suggestion is to eat/drink lots of protein and walk as much as you can each day ( I was doing 2 miles a day until the 3rd chemo...then I slowed down). You can do it. Take care and God bless. Rhonda