Low blood cells..

Hi Lisa,

yep, me too. My counts went to zero with every chemo. As the others have said, isolate your self where ever possible to avoid infection or take precautions. Face mark, hand sanitizer, don't kiss or hug others and the like. It just one more fun side effect of the chemo that we endure. Take care. Karen xox

Hi Lisa,

I just had to concur with most of the other ladies, whilst I had 12 rounds of Chemo I didnt have low blood count, but it is so incredibly common. You absolutely did nothing wrong, it isnt anything that you can influence in any way. Its the Chemo as with each infusion it depletes your entire system when you look at it. So thats why they check your levels before each infusion as if they havent come back up,they have to wait as there is no making the levels come up any other way but on their own.

Youre doing great! :) 

Hugs Melinda xo

It is perfectly normal to have it that low or even lower. In fact they expect it and keep on chexking the bloods after 1st chemo to get the 'magic' low number which qualifies you for the Neulasta injections after subsequent chemos to help boost your immune system.

After every future chemo they will give you an injection to have administered 24hrs post chemo (I had my GP administer them) and it helps.

You will still have seriously low / compromised immunity so make sure you look after yourself.

I have been wearing a fave mask arround outhers (every time I am.out) and even do it now 1 month post my last chemo as my imunity is still not back to a healthy person's level.

My husband also wears a mask on public transport and in public to ensure he dies not get sick or bring some virus home to me. He also got a flu vax to try minimise risk of getting one of the seasonal viruses.

Also all my friends know to stay away if in slightest doubt they or a househopd member might be ill so have managed.to avoid seasonal bugs thus far. 

Has not stopped me dealing with trush ever since week 2 of chemo and a couple.of unexplained high temperature instances but overall not doing too badly.

So do not let it freak you out. Ot is normal and it is good that you know it is low so you can take extra precautions arround staying as healthy as you can be

Hugs

Jel.

Just letting you know shingles are the chicken pox virus dormant in your body.  You don't  catch shingles. When run down or in times of stress it can resurface as shingles years later. You, however, when shingles are present, can give other people chicken pox.

http://www.m.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/shingles-topic-overview

Hi Lisa, I was out shopping when the hospital called to say my blood count was low, I was told to go home immediately and was not allowed visitors till next blood test. So my oncologist organised for me to have the injections at home to increase the count.  A nurse could have carried this out but my dear husband did it for me.  The worse thing was somehow I contacted Shingles after my second session of chemo. Silly me visitors two different people in hospital.  So please don't be around anyone sick and I was also told not to go to places like picture theatres or restaurants  where there maybe lots of people. It's worth taking every care you can. And it's not forever. 

Take care and remember you are number one.

Anne-Marie ??

You did nothing wrong....this is expected after chemo and why you have the blood tests. Once proven low enough you can then have the neulasta after each round (without needing to prove the need ) which boosts your white cell count quickly and reduces infection risk.

I had this too when I had my chemo four years ago. I think it is reasonably common. I have seen it mentioned quite a few times in posts on this site over the years. It certainly isn't anything you've done wrong. It's just one of the effects of chemo on your body.

It is a little confronting having to give yourself an injection but it's pretty easy and straight forward really. Just another thing we have to get through.

Hang in there Lisa. You will get through this and life does get back to normal. Take care during this stressful time, Janet.

If you get low white blood cells it means you have little resistance to diseases and could catch every flu and bug going. The injection helps stimulate your body to make more white cells faster. They are made in your long bones so be prepared for some achy bone times.

I gave myself the injection after chemo 2, 3 and 4. It dropped after 4 was finished too and I ended up with a chest cold that lasted 2 months and two lots of antibiotics to try and stop it turning in to pneumonia. I am much better 4mths later and am able to shake off a sore throat or a sniffle now.