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Platelets Too Low for Chemo Infusion
I have stage 4 peritoneal cancer that has metastasized to multiple other organs. I’ve completed 3 rounds of carbo/taxel chemo with a 4th round scheduled prior to cytoreductive surgery. My platelet count keeps dropping and is now too low for me to have my 4th infusion. Has anyone had to have a platelet or whole blood transfusion before a round of chemo? My CA-125 is dropping but so are all of my healthy cell counts and I’m scared.
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I saw the respiratory surgeon yesterday. It may not be cancer! Very hopeful it is Sarcoidosis, which is a benign inflammation that collects in lymph nodes near the lungs initially. The biopsy is today.
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3 Reactions@jenelleseaman Is your biopsy today? I am hoping it is the benign inflammation that your respiratory surgeon suspects and that this can be treated.
Please let me know how the procedure goes for you? It may be a few days or more before you get the results of the biopsy so will you also come back and let me know what you find out?
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2 ReactionsThe procedure went as planned. The surgeon needed to collect enough tissue to perform all the tests, so my throat was quite sore, but it was okay 6 hours later. I’m told my blood pressure dropped while under anaesthetic, but I’m fine. I see my oncologist on Thursday 22nd May. I’m still hoping it’s the sarcoidosis option!
I went to a different hospital than usual because that’s where the surgeon was working yesterday. Everyone that asked about my history were impressed at how well I look considering everything I have gone through. God has been good to me for so long. I have been rescued from situations that could have been fatal many times. Thanks for caring. Jenelle
So happy to hear this, Jenelle! You have so many people cheering you on! < 3< 3< 3
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2 ReactionsWhat is C125
@jacklyn A tumour marker for ovarian cancer. If elevated, there’s something amiss in the abdomen …
@jenelleseaman CA 125 is also a marker used in the detection for serous uterine her2+ cancer.
I am on a maintenance treatment with a targeted chemo called enhertu. It is fairly new in treating my cancer, approved in summer of 2024. I have a 30 minute infusion every 4 weeks and prior to treatment my blood is drawn and CA 125 is monitored. It elevated twice since my initial diagnosis in April 2021...stage 1A total hysterectomy...brachytherapy 3 times and then followup every 3 months with survivorship nurse...no blood drawn! In 2022 after much stomach bloating and being told it was classic IBS, which I never had, after a CT scan cancer had recurred and CA125 was 400. After 6 rounds of carboplatin and herceptin my CA 125 was normal under 35. Scans were clear until April of 2025 after slow trending up of CA 125 from 15 to 70 over 6 months and no symptoms, a PET scan showed very small activity in 2 pelvic nodes. I began infusions of enhertu on May 7, 2025...After 2 treatments CA 125 was in normal range at 25....has remained between 13-16 since July 2025. I had an infusion today and my CA 125 was 14 ! For me my cancer is very sensitive to CA 125 and I do not have ovarian cancer, but it is closely related...perhaps because it is her2+....all of this to clarify that CA 125 is used as a marker for more than ovarian cancer ...best of luck to you !!!