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Low platelet count and delay of chemo
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).
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Ok, FYI for anyone who’s following this thread. After 3 1/2 weeks off chemo, platelets rose (117) so will have chemo this week, #10 - woo-hoo! Just trying to get through these last ones and be done. One week (and day) at a time.
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6 Reactions@katieliz I am happy for you. You are getting closer to the finish line. Sometimes, I just try to have good seconds and minutes at a time. I admire your ability to take it it one day and a week at a time. Good for you.
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2 Reactions@tomrennie Thank you! Have you had a cancer journey as well?
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1 Reaction@katieliz Yes. Diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic neuroendocrene tumors in 8/22. Been on chemo since then. Things have been stable for over 2 years. I feel very fortunate.
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4 Reactions@katieliz It has happened to me several times. My platelets went down to 44 at one point. My platelets, white count, red count have been a problem and Chemo has been stopped several times. Now after 3 weeks they have started me on all new meds because Gemzar stopped working. This week I was okeyed for the new drugs. Everything looked good except my glucose was over 300 and now, I am a diabetic. Good luck to you.
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1 Reaction@kathy74 Thank you. Hope things go smoothly with your new chemo regimen, and no other complications. I guess we all just go forward and roll with the punches. And stay positive, and enjoy each day. I am 72, but have a lot more living to do! Expecting first grandchild in February - definite motivation. Thank you for your concern and same to you!
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3 Reactions❤️
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2 Reactions@katieliz I agree with moving forward. I have this quote from the movie Rocky hanging on my bedroom wall:
"The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done."
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3 Reactions