Last week I went to receive my chemotherapy treatment (Taxol), but I was sent back home. Why? My white blood cell count was too low.
Every week that I receive chemo, whether it's my Carbo/Taxol combo or just Taxol, I have to do blood work beforehand.* In addition to measuring things such as protein, calcium, sodium, glucose, potassium, etc., the blood test also measures red and white blood counts. As you may already know, chemotherapy works by killing off the bad (cancerous) cells. However, at the same time, it also kills the good cells. And, in my case, my white blood cells fell to an unacceptable number.
Originating in the bone marrow, white blood cells are responsible for fighting off infection. In order to decrease my chances of getting sick, I was advised to stay away from crowds, wash my hands often and sent home with disposable masks to wear in public. I wasn't given any nutritional advice to raise the counts back up, but after researching the topic, I learned incorporating anti-oxidants (such as berries and green tea**) and vitamins C, E, and B help to raise WBC counts. Here is a link to an article I found helpful: http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/family-nutrition/foods-boost-immunity/8-foods-boost-immunity. I feel I must tell you though that I never add vitamin supplements to my diet without first consulting my doctor. Honestly, because of all the health books I read, I'm convinced the best way to get your vitamins is through foods, not pills.
Today, a week after being turned away from receiving my chemo, I returned to start up a new cycle of treatment. Basically meaning I was starting from week one again and my infusion would be the Carbo/Taxol cocktail. Although today's blood test showed my WBC counts were back to being in the low end of the normal range, I learned that I'd be getting shots of the white blood cell stimulator Neupogen for the next four days. (How convenient har har.) I've read online that the side effects are soreness at the site of injection and possible body soreness. If it's anything like the bone marrow growth stimulators I had during chemo three years ago, I believe it. So, I'll let you know how it goes in an update. Has anyone out there had these problems/treaments? If so, I'd love to hear from you.
xoxo,
Ali
* Actually, would anyone be interested in a post about the different ways blood can be drawn? I have a "port" which is a surgically inserted device located in my chest which is used both to draw blood and administer chemo. If so, please leave a comment.
** Although green tea is an excellent anti-oxidant and just plain tasty, it might not be a great drink choice for someone who is undergoing radiation treatment for cancer. One of my surgeons, who is also a research doctor, told me that a new study indicates that green tea blocks out a lot of the radiation and renders the treatment ineffective. I wonder if that means green tea will also protect you from the sun's radiation. I'll have to ask him. I'm always finding excuses to stay outside longer. :)
I am amazed that you are willing to share your experiences with us. And the way you and Heather are handling it is inspirational to say the least.
ReplyDeleteWe're praying for you over here!
(& i am very interested in the port... would make an interesting article!)
Wow Ali, I actually understood everything you were talking about...i've been reading and looking up alot of articles about chemo and diets and medicines also now that my mom is going through it all. My mom has had one chemo session so far. She will have six sessions of chemo, once every six weeks, than they'll do her surgery, so that's in about 4-5 months. On her first session she recieved Herceptin, which she will get with every chemo session and also for an additional 6 months following her surgery. The chemo she is getting is Taxotere 150mg and Carboplatin 900mg. They said it will be the same every session. Then three days after her chemo she does 5 days of self injections of Neupogen. She did get the bone aches, so she did the injections at night so that she could sleep through them, she still felt them but not as bad. She felt fine on the first day of chemo and even the second day, but she started feeling nauseas around the third day. So over all she was uncomfortable for about a week and a half..this past sunday and today she's felt fine. She has her next chemo session this coming monday the 30th. Hopefully it wont be as long as her first, she was in there for like 7 hours, they gave her medicines really slow since it was her first time. She also has a port in her chest. She says it doesnt hurt when they connect to it, so thats good. She has really bad veins and they always have to poke her multiple times before they can draw blood, so now that she has the port they have no problems getting blood from her. Sheesh, i cant believe she's already having chemo and the cancer was just found less than two months ago. I took her to shave her head this past friday, she hadnt started losing it yet but the oncologist said that she would be bald by the third week and since we're coming up on the second week she didnt want to take the chance of a glob of hair falling out in her hands, so we went to my salon but my hairdresser told my mom to just cut it really short so that she can transition, my mom was happy with that decision. She'll just shave it all of when she starts to lose it, but at least it will be little hairs and not globs of long hair. Will she be bald till she's done with her chemo sessions? Will radiation keep her bald or will her hair still grow back during radiation? I cannot believe how many things you girls cant eat while on chemo...and i thought pregnant girls had a strict diet. They say that she shouldnt eat raw unpeeled vegetables...now what if she washes them really good and stir frys them, is it okay if they're not peeled, like tomato and zuccini? I also read that she should lower her dairy intake, did you have to do that too? How many more chemo sessions do you have? I'm so happy to hear that your tumor has shrunk. What is the next step after your chemo?
ReplyDeleteOpps, i meant, "six chemo sessions, once every 3 weeks" not "six weeks".
DeleteI believe it. So, I'll let you know how it goes in an update. Has anyone out there had these problems/treaments? If so, I'd love to hear from you. generic cancer drugs
ReplyDelete