Chemo delayed due to low white blood count: Disappointed

Hi @cris2 It can be quite common for white blood counts to be low between chemo treatment rounds. Sometimes the body just can’t regenerate the cells fast enough between cycles so there can be a delay in more chemo until WBC, RBC or platelets rise again to a safe level. If your husband’s WBC doesn’t go up on its own, sometimes the oncologist will suggest a course of Nulasta (pegfilgrastim) to help boost the production.

I know it’s disappointing for your husband to delay chemo…he just wants to get this over with! But he can still go on with the radiation portion of his treatment so at least he’s making forward progress. ☺️ How are you holding up as his caregiver?

So far ok, so much to take in. We had a simple quiet life, never either of us had any health problems and now this. I hope radiation doesn’t get cancelled as they said they had their own procedures, my husband is waiting now to find out.
Thank you.

It’s hard for him to sleep, he’s stuffy more, his mouth being sore that gets so dry sleeping, tried everything. Going to see if a room humidifier would help.

Good morning, @cris2. There are some over the counter products that can help greatly with dry mouth. Chemo and some meds can have a side effect of reducing saliva. I know your husband has to be cautious with what he does put in his mouth because it’s so sore. There are two products I’ve used in the past that are gentle and really helped. Check out any of the Biotene products. Also, Xylomelts by Oracoat.
My go-to nasal spray that keeps my sinuses happy is Xlear, another product with xylitol. That really helps with the breathing at night by keeping the tissue moist.

Your idea of a humidifier is excellent. That may help your husband breathe a little easier. Vicks makes some nice room humidifiers. They’re small, table-top size and easy to clean.

You’re both going through a challenging time right now. It’s not easy when your lives get turned upside down with an expected illness. My husband and I went through the same thing and it really just pulls the rug right out from under you! It’s tough on both the patient and the caregiver. But hang in there and don’t lose hope, because things will get better!

I know your husband's on a little break from chemo. Have you heard if he’ll be able to continue with the radiation schedule?

Thank you for all your help/suggestions. I’m looking up and getting my husband whatever he needs.
Some days it’s so hard seeing him lose weight, trouble eating, getting weaker, not the man I knew.
I want to just cry. Thanks.

Yes he’s still going to radiation every day, next Wednesday he goes for chemo after they check his bloodwork.

I’m reaching through the computer to give you a virtual hug. You know, it is ok to cry. It’s a relief valve…and can be pretty cathartic. I know this is so hard to see the changes taking place in your husband and you feel helpless. My husband told me the same thing when I was going through my treatments. I was seldom ever sick and had just tons of energy my entire life. Then boom, just like that I was in the fight for my life, lost 40 pounds and looked like a bag of bones. I am now 5 years post cancer. I’m super healthy and feel as though nothing happened!
So that is why I’m here to offer a lifeline. Even though these treatments are horrible at the time, they can work! Our bodies are meant to heal and recover. It still amazes me what my body went through, endured and now fully recovered. I expect your husband will experience the same thing. It’s just going to take time and it will be challenging.

I know your focus is on your husband right now, but don’t forget to take a little time for yourself daily to recharge your batteries. Hugs. Lori.

That’s all so encouraging, I read that to my husband and he said what a nice note you wrote. Weekends are so relaxing as we don’t have to run anywhere, and it was sunny. We’re in Michigan so mostly inside.

Did you ever have trouble eating, no appetite? Right now my husband can’t eat, he’s a little nauseous and just doesn’t want to eat. He’s had to different meds, zofran and compazine, but didn’t help. Will ask the dr today.

To answer that question about eating, I lost 40 pounds while on chemo. So yes, I had a lot of trouble eating. I knew it was important so I tried to eat but it was a challenge for me and my husband! Drinking anything was also an issue. Switching to room temp water really helped me get more down.

I lost my taste buds so everything had a horrible mouth feel, I was nauseated and no appetite whatsoever. My sweet husband jumped through hoops trying to find foods that tempted me. He would make little bite-sized pieces of food for me on a plate. Looked like doll food! LOL
PJB bites, pieces of plain broiled chicken breast, pieces of Swanson canned Chicken breast, bites of string cheese, crackers, bites of banana, apple, applesauce, canned peaches. Sometimes pudding would work or a smoothie. Lactaid ice cream was a winner!! But even then, sometimes I could only eat something once and then it turned me off again. So it’s hit and miss, I’m afraid.

There are hints such as adding a tiny dribble of maple syrup on foods. It tricks the tastebuds. There are Cooking for Chemo recipes online too. I couldn’t for the life of me tolerate the ‘taste’ of protein powder. Sometimes I could drink Ensure fruit juice. But I couldn’t handle the taste of the shakes. They are a good source of protein though.

There can be a little backlash with anti-nausea meds because they disrupt the normal gut action. The zofran tongue melt tabs were my favorites. Your husband also has the added difficulty of having a sore mouth which further complicates things, I’d imagine.

All I can say is that this will pass. Little by little his ability to eat will return. He may not have an appetite but he’ll be able to at least hold down the food. Best bet is to have very little portions and, grazing throughout the day helped the most. Don’t even bother having him try to eat a meal. It won’t work right now. My dietitian and transplant team didn’t care what I ate at one point, as long I got calories down! That’s where the Lactaid ice cream came into play…in a dish or a smoothie.

If he can handle the taste there are candies or lozenges for anti nausea such as Ginger candy or Queasy-pops. Sometimes they can give a little extra relief right before a meal.
Wishing you both the best of luck over this rough patch! It will get better!!