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Low Platelets change chemo protocol: What do you doctors do?
My husband is having a trial of Gemcitabine, Abraxane and Pamrevulab.
The third treatment of the cycle, his platelets are about 59 even with platelet shots a couple days before. The. He only gets the pamrevulab for the third treatment, which is just before his break. We are concerned about him only getting 2 weeks in a row of chemo and then no gemabraxane for 3 weeks, although he is still responding.
Does anyone else have this issue and what are your Drs doing about it?
Thank you
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My mom is in the same boat. They wouldn't give her chemo today as scheduled b/c her platelets and WBC have tanked. She feels really weak and tired. She is getting radiation in tandem with chemo for mets to ovary/bladder after almost 3 years in remission. I wish I had answers for you. I know how hard it is to watch and worry. I hear there are certain foods like papaya that can help rise platelets. Not sure if that's true. The break from chemo should help! Hang in there...
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1 Reaction@sprinter345, I know you are worried that your husband is not getting the full dose of all the chemo drugs of the originally recommended protocol. You want him to get it all. But you can take solace in the fact that his doctors are watching your husband closely and giving him the amount of medication that is right for him - most treatment possible with the tolerable amount of "toxicity" that keeps him safe and able for the healthy cells to recover.
I agree with @asugent that the break from chemo should help with the recovery. Keep in mind that the "standard" chemotherapy doses are based on the average that works for most people. But your doctors will individualize the treatment.
@susan2018 @sprinter345 @bb21 have made a similar experience with adjustments to chemotherapy due to low platelets.
Sprinter, how is your husband doing today? How are you?
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3 ReactionsMy husband was able to get his third treatment this time- platelets too low on Monday even after double shot but recovered to 79 by Wednesday- protocol is at least 75. So we are very encouraged by that. And we will try the extra days going forward.
My husband feels very good most days, considering. He had Covid twice since Christmas, pink eye twice and a ruptured ear drum ! He walks 2-4 miles most days. We try to make the most of our days with our Grandkids and our own kids.
We try to get away for a few days every break. I pray a lot and research a lot, as I’m sure many of us do.
Thank you so much for your words of experience, wisdom and comfort.
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5 ReactionsThanks for sharing your story. Your efforts to live life fully are an inspiration
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