flu shot with lowered wbc

My dad has gall bladder cancer which has spread to the liver and 2 spots on the lungs.

Did 20 radiation treatments, now is doing IV chemo 2 Mondays, off 1 Monday, etc.

His first treatment was last Monday,went today and told him  his WBC was 1.3 and did not do the treatment.

question;  He is schedued for a flu shot. With lowered resistance? should he go ahead and get the shot or wear a mask everywhere he goes/

help

-----quote------ On 9/28/2009 buzmar86 wrote: My dad has gall bladder cancer which has spread to the liver and 2 spots on the lungs.Did 20 radiation treatments, now is doing IV chemo 2 Mondays, off 1 Monday, etc.His first treatment was last Monday,went today and told him  his WBC was 1.3 and did not do the treatment.question;  He is schedued for a flu shot. With lowered resistance? should he go ahead and get the shot or wear a mask everywhere he goes/help -----end quote-- Hi Buzmar! I have had some prior communications with you as your Dad is being treated at Duke for his GBC just as I am. I asked this same question to the Duke oncology team last year at this time. My WBC was sometimes low, too, and treatment had to be delayed because of it. The flu shot is safe for him because these are not live viruses being injected. I had the shot, I did fine. I am also an RN so I already understood the risks/benefits. AS far as the mask goes, I guess this is an optional thing depending on circumstances. I never wore one. A mask is only protective from germs in the air due to someone coughing or sneezing, so if I was spending a lot of time around someone with a cold, yes, I might consider a mask. Best protection from most things, however, including flu, is good hand washing. Good luck to your father! He's got a great team of Docs. Please keep in touch! Milly

Milly,

Thanks for the note.

I did advise dad to get the flu shot and wash, wash, wash his hands.

It is nice to have someone to talk to about GBC. How are you doing? do you go back to Duke for treaments now?

Marcia

Marcia

Hi Marcia, thanks for responding. I agree, it certainly is nice to talk about these things with. GBC being so rare, it is especially important to have some sort of network. I am doing well, so far as I can tell.......I finished my chemo in March, and had a 6-month follow-up CT a few weeks ago. So far, so good. CT was clear, and all the labs normal. As you may know, the highest risk for recurrence is within the first 2 years, so I have almost another year where we are watching closely to see if anything develops. The IV port in my upper chest will stay in during this period in case I need more treatment. AFter the 2 years are up, and I am still clear -- I will breathe a little sigh of relief, but my Duke docs and I will still be watchful. That will go on through my life. How much longer on chemo does your father have? Then what is the plan? Again, please stay in touch and send updates. I will, too.

Hi Buzmar,

sorry to hear about your father. Yes, your father can take flu shot as it is not a live virus but take an advice from your oncologist.

why don't you ask your oncologist about G-CSF which stands for Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor.

My mom is on Gemzar and Cisplatin and her WBC count went too low to give her second cycle of chemo. Since then she has been given G-CSF under her skin twice in one cycle. Her WBC count goes to 24,000 after jsut single injection which comes back to around 5000 (which is normal) just prior to her next cycle.

So talk to your oncologist regarding G-CSF. Your father doesn't have to worry at all for infection or treatment delay once he is on G-CSF.