I got my CA27.29 score and my tumor markers have dropped from 1826 on 2/20 to 1578 on Wednesday. That is the first regression I've seen! And I am feeling better - the cough from the lung mets has completely disappeared. Of course, a scan will be more definitive and I think that will happen after I finish the 3rd cycle. Hopefully, my blood counts can hold up to the 50% dose.
I am feeling a bit better and my appetite seems to be making a comeback so my optimism (and my family's) has been boosted this week.
There's a little fun in the works - we are flying to Phoenix next Wednesday evening (after my treatment). Two of Rick's golf buddies are also flying out to play golf with him. He needs the break and I know the guys will have a great time while I soak up the warm Phoenix sun, sitting by the pool. And for a change, it looks like the weather is really going to cooperate!
Friday, March 15, 2013
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Required a transfusion
This particular chemo - Gemcitabine (gemzar) is notorious for knocking back your blood counts. Really, any chemo can cause low counts, some are worse than others, and we are all different so what knocks mine back may not do the same to someone else.
Last week my counts were low and so they gave me just 50% of the standard chemo dose. My white blood count was 1.76 with the low end of normal at 3.98; my red blood count was 2.4 with the low end of normal at 3.93 and my hemoglobin was 8.2 with the low end being 11.2.
We were pretty sure that even the 50% dose would cause even lower levels, which is why I was scheduled for labs yesterday. And that is what happened - my red blood count went down to 2.21 and my hemoglobin dropped to 7.6. My platelets were down to 51 with the low range at 150. So there was no question that I needed the transfusion - I think hemoglobin below 8.0 is the criteria. And I couldn't walk even a few steps without being out of breath, so it was a no-brainer decision.
They called the blood bank and requested two units and the blood was couriered over to Dana Farber. It arrived about 1 p.m. and it took about 3 hours for the transfusion. I have to say I felt much better after the treatment. When they started the transfusion, my bp was about 102/47 and it was up to 112/65 when it was finished. And my heart rate was 100 when we started but went down to about 78 afterwards.
So that's the story. My next dose (next Wednesday) will probably be at about 80% of the full dose - I'll not be able to have a 100% dose again because it would be dangerous.
The good news is that I think it's working. My cough ( probably from lung mets) is pretty much gone. We were thinking about adding abraxane to the mix but we're going to hold off as it would add to the blood count problem.
Last week my counts were low and so they gave me just 50% of the standard chemo dose. My white blood count was 1.76 with the low end of normal at 3.98; my red blood count was 2.4 with the low end of normal at 3.93 and my hemoglobin was 8.2 with the low end being 11.2.
We were pretty sure that even the 50% dose would cause even lower levels, which is why I was scheduled for labs yesterday. And that is what happened - my red blood count went down to 2.21 and my hemoglobin dropped to 7.6. My platelets were down to 51 with the low range at 150. So there was no question that I needed the transfusion - I think hemoglobin below 8.0 is the criteria. And I couldn't walk even a few steps without being out of breath, so it was a no-brainer decision.
They called the blood bank and requested two units and the blood was couriered over to Dana Farber. It arrived about 1 p.m. and it took about 3 hours for the transfusion. I have to say I felt much better after the treatment. When they started the transfusion, my bp was about 102/47 and it was up to 112/65 when it was finished. And my heart rate was 100 when we started but went down to about 78 afterwards.
So that's the story. My next dose (next Wednesday) will probably be at about 80% of the full dose - I'll not be able to have a 100% dose again because it would be dangerous.
The good news is that I think it's working. My cough ( probably from lung mets) is pretty much gone. We were thinking about adding abraxane to the mix but we're going to hold off as it would add to the blood count problem.
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