Low platelet count and delay of chemo

Posted by katieliz @katieliz, Oct 2, 2025

Have had 8 rounds of Folfirinox, strong chemo, have had 3 after the Whipple procedure done June 10 2025; , supposed to have 4 more - for a total of 12 - but have had to skip for 5 weeks now waiting for my platelet number to rise (currently at 89). Note from doc this week - they will do labs again next week and want me to come in for an appointment to discuss wrapping things up and cancelling the last 4 rounds. This WOULD be nice, but I want the best chances going forward for the cancer to not come back. Anyone have experience with this? I supposedly don’t have any cancer at this moment - was stage 1, head of pancreas, surgeon reported clear margins and nothing found in lymph nodes or anywhere…but I am still nervous since this is a ‘bad cancer’ (none are very good).

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pancreatic Cancer Support Group.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 20, 2025

In reply to @marymichaels "Hello! I had the same thing happen to me-a delay in chemo due to low platelet..." + (show)

@marymichaels, welcome. Have you completed chemo now? How are you doing?

katieliz | @katieliz | Oct 20, 2025

In reply to @colleenyoung "@marymichaels, welcome. Have you completed chemo now? How are you doing?" + (show)

Once my platelets rose to 107, I restarted chemo that day, and that was two weeks ago. Lowered chemo dosages. Tomorrow I have blood work, and so waiting to see the current platelet count, if ok, will have chemo #10 Wednesday - 10/22. One day I lean toward keeping on going for the last 3 cycles, then the next I worry about the long-term effects of chemo and that maybe I SHOULD stop now, to hopefully avoid these. My last appt with my doc, I know she’s a bit worried about the toll it’s taking on my body, and one thing she said was ‘You made it through the surgery (whipple), that was the big thing’. So then I think, did they think I wouldn’t do very well with surgery? So still trying to gain clarity with this. Will see what results I get tomorrow. Appreciate the comments and feedback I’m getting here!

Turkey, Volunteer Mentor | @tomrennie | Oct 20, 2025

In reply to @katieliz "Once my platelets rose to 107, I restarted chemo that day, and that was two weeks..." + (show)

@katieliz Good luck tomorrow. Let us know how it goes ok?

marymichaels | @marymichaels | Oct 21, 2025

In reply to @colleenyoung "@marymichaels, welcome. Have you completed chemo now? How are you doing?" + (show)

@colleenyoung

I am doing well, thank you!

I have my LAST CHEMO (cycle #12) tomorrow, and am very excited to be finished. I am looking forward to ringing that bell!

monterrey1997 | @monterrey1997 | Oct 22, 2025

In reply to @marymichaels "@colleenyoung I am doing well, thank you! I have my LAST CHEMO (cycle #12) tomorrow, and..." + (show)

@marymichaels
Congratulations! Friday is my husbands first chemotherapy any advice?

Thank you ❤️

jadees | @jadees | Oct 24, 2025

In reply to @monterrey1997 "@marymichaels Congratulations! Friday is my husbands first chemotherapy any advice? Thank you ❤️" + (show)

@monterrey1997 Gee looking back at my husbands first chemotherapy and trying to think of what we wished we knew. First accept what help, emotional and physical that your circle of family offer. By family I definitely include all those people surrounding you who care about what is going on . That alone I would say was our greatest saviour - so thankful for our "circle",
Keep hydrated at all times , my husband drinks water and lemon regularly , yet most days needs reminders. I just keep putting his drinking bottle beside him. Eat healthy with lots of snacks as tolerated. We used dishes of walnuts, granola/power bars on the ready for inbetween meals, plenty of fresh fruit, smoothies of fruit and yogurt mixed with a protein Boost powder, used that same powder in puddings daily to help him at least maintain his weight. Important to keep looking at the sunshine times and keep making the memories, its a long road but doable .

marymichaels | @marymichaels | Oct 24, 2025

In reply to @monterrey1997 "@marymichaels Congratulations! Friday is my husbands first chemotherapy any advice? Thank you ❤️" + (show)

@monterrey1997

First of all, this a lot. There will be lots of new information coming your way. Take it slow-one step at a time, and it will all sink in.
Bring a bag of reading materials and comfort items. I brought my knitting, books, and lotions.
They will likely have snacks.
And for future visits, invite your care team to join you-it makes the time fly by.
Best of luck to you. Stay strong!!

Turkey, Volunteer Mentor | @tomrennie | Oct 24, 2025

In reply to @monterrey1997 "@marymichaels Congratulations! Friday is my husbands first chemotherapy any advice? Thank you ❤️" + (show)

@monterrey1997 Good luck with everything today. Let us know how it goes. Ok?

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 2, 2025

In reply to @katieliz "Once my platelets rose to 107, I restarted chemo that day, and that was two weeks..." + (show)

@katieliz, how are you doing? Did you continue with treatment or take a break?

katieliz | @katieliz | Nov 2, 2025

In reply to @colleenyoung "@katieliz, how are you doing? Did you continue with treatment or take a break?" + (show)

@colleenyoung, I wasn’t able to have chemo #10, on the 22nd, platelets had dropped to 86, and then I have been out of town for a planned trip, but hopefully next chemo will be Nov. 5. I decided to do my best to get in the last 3 cycles as possible, just have to keep checking platelets and moving forward. Thanks for asking, I can post here what happens next.