My sister's numbers did this once. She was almost to the point when she could have her next round of chemo and all of a sudden they started dropping. They kept trying to figure out if something different had happened, if she took any new meds, if she was doing anything new. She wasn't. The numbers did come back up but there was never any explanation for it. I guess it just happens sometimes.

It's is frustrating sometimes but they will come back up.

Debbie

Chicagomom,

I had the same treatment as you with reduced doses of AriC due to slow count recovery and experienced similar low counts. As you know, the effects of chemo are cumulative so considering that you are recovering from your final round of consolidation, I would not be concerned if my med team is not. Did you take nuelesta or nuepegen shots during nadir? I did, usually until day 30ish. My WBC and ANC would rise and then fall after shots were stopped. I received transfusions of both platelets and red blood on day 38, 37, 40 and 32 during my four consolidations. Hope this helps.

Praying for you

Julie

Dr isn't concerned. I have a cold which probably doesn't help but dr says a cold won't change counts. I did have one neulasta shot the day after chemo all five cycles but it's never done anything. Drs were surprised that it never changed my counts. Guess its ineffective for me. I'm so close to the end and just want my counts to come up so I can get my dreaded bone marrow biopsy over with and get my results and move past all of this.

Congratulations on getting through it. You just cannot expect your bone marrow to bounce back as quick as it has in the past after five rounds. But we have never had a situation here where there was not ultimately a recovery from that last chemo, and yours will be soon. If in the meantime you need some blood products, just take it in stride as part of the ordeal. I take it you are not planning a transplant? I did not have one, and am glad I didn't. But for sure go with what your med folks recommend. Please keep us up on progress -- so many people have this same concern that it will be quite valuable to them. Take care -- dave

I would have that issue too during my 6 consolidation rounds. My counts would seem to be increasing, then they would plateau and drop. I had this issue mostly with the WBCs. In between rounds I would usually get platelet and red blood transfusions each visit for about two weeks after each round. It's frustrating because we would always like to see the counts rise and stay in range, but with the damage the chemotherapy does to the bone marrow, it isn't always that simple. Keep your head up and continue forward!