lazy bone marrow

[Rachel_L]

       Is it "normal" for your bone marrow to become "lazy" after 10 rounds of chemo? I went to my appointment yesterday and they could not do chemo because my counts were not where they should be.  

[Mary]

Rachel, I haven't had chemo, but I have read about many patients. I think this is a pretty common thing to experience at some point during treatment. I hope things get better quickly so you can get things over with! But maybe you'll feel good enough to enjoy the break a little. HUGS.

[Charlene]

rachel l. - low counts are indicative of many chemotherapy drugs and/or radiation therapy.  side effects vary based on chemo/rads dose and length of regimen.  for me adriamycin/cisplat combo and IFOS kicked my butt.  my counts would basically get to the nonexsistent levels but with daily neopogen injections, to help boost my WBC, i made a steady climb back to within normal range.  also, the further in treatment i was the more effect the treatment had on me.  at times our bodies just need extra time to recover.  hope you are able to enjoy some of your chemo free time.  even if it is only to do one special thing.  keep us posted.

charlene 

[Jeanne_C]

Hi Rachel!!

I am getting ready for number 10 myself and while my WBC has been pretty good I am starting to have issues with my hemoglobin.  Don't think it is at all unusually after 10 rounds for the ole bone marrow to start sayin'  "Hey....enough already!!!"

[Rachel_B]

Yes, it's normal...i've had lots of chemo and this definitely happened to me.  Have they given you any shots and/or transfusions to help boost your counts faster? this helped me a lot!

[Mariana]

Hey Rachel,
  It happened with my body as well.  After a while I got to the point where I had NO white blood cells and needed blood transfusions all the time because my body just wasn't recuperating...my chemo kept getting pushed back until I had my levels of everything up enough to be depleted all over again.  Remember...chemo is some heavy stuff!  It's killing everything in sight!  The body becomes tired.   How much more have you got to do??
-Mariana

[Cari]

Yep me three!!  Lots  and lots of blood transfusions!!  and O WBC---I didn't even have enough to scape off the bottom--(my doctor used to say that!!)
You are getting closer Rachel!!
Hang in there GIRL!!  We love you!