Platelets too low for chemo today

Hi all.

Apparently Andy's platelets were too low for his Carboplatin this morning. Rats. He got the Avastin but they're going to have him come back next week, test again, and do the Carbo then if OK.  Any thoughts? Any way to support platelet recovery? I am a universal donor (Type O-) ... would love to donate if possible... don't they do that?

Was feeling hopeful. Now worried about this. We thought his bone marrow was so bodacious when tested two weeks ago. : (

Sarah

mother of Andy 27 dx gbm/pnet 1/09

Oh man. They DO do transfusions and there is also a medication they use to boost platelets.  I think they have to get really low for them to do that.  My husbands doc said there was nothing we could do to boost them.   My husband's CBCs bounce all over the place.  Last week, he was low, then all of a sudden, back up at 140.  Don't lose hope. 

Hang in there!  With the week off maybe the platelets will go up on their own.  If not then next week maybe he needs meds to help.  I have read about the medicine but can't remember the name. 

Hang tough till next week and thanks for all your kind words on this site.

Peggy

We hang. :o)  Tough or otherwise, we hang.

I read an article that people who are on chemo shouldn't overdo coffee, and Andy has been drinking a LOT of it... his substitute vice for alcohol which isn't good for bone marrow. So now we're going to Yerba Mate' and tea. Apparently it isn't the caffeine in the coffee but the phenolic acid that inhibits platelet production and function. Okayyyyy... worth a try!

Sarah

Hi Sarah

Sorry to hear about the platelets being low. like others have said, we have always been told their was nothing we can do to boost platelet count - other than a transfusion if they got dangerously low (which they haven't).  They always seem to come back up with 1-2 weeks off chemo.  What dose/frequency is Andy having of the carbo?  If the platelets continued to be a drama, maybe mixing the schedule up could be an option?  my husband has carbo infusion at a lower dose every week for 3 weeks, then 1 week off.

interesting info about the acid in coffee... worth a try!!!
zoe

Sorry to hear that, my friend.  Two steps forward, one step back sometimes, huh? I am thinking about you. I owe you an e-mail. Will try to catch up tonight or tomorrow. Work is crazy right now.

xoxo,

H

The platelets will probably go up on their own but you should ask about him getting platelets. My mother got very low on platelets and they considered a transfusion, unfortunately her declining condition (sleeping constantly and not responding at all) she was sent to hospice. Hospice only offers palliative care so she never got platelets. I'm sure it may be an option w/ your son since he's so young and definately doing bettter than my mother was. You should inquire about it  Stay strong! Maria

On Oct 28, 2009 4:10 PM heart_and_soul wrote:

Hi all.

Apparently Andy's platelets were too low for his Carboplatin this morning. Rats. He got the Avastin but they're going to have him come back next week, test again, and do the Carbo then if OK.  Any thoughts? Any way to support platelet recovery? I am a universal donor (Type O-) ... would love to donate if possible... don't they do that?

Was feeling hopeful. Now worried about this. We thought his bone marrow was so bodacious when tested two weeks ago. : (

Sarah

mother of Andy 27 dx gbm/pnet 1/09

 Hi sorry to here Andy's platelets where not good .

My bills platelets where down 3 times over the 23 weeks thay did come back up on his larst 3 day round he did have to have a Trasfusion at the end it made him feel realy good.

  Suzette.