Low white blood count - Lymphomas Message Board

singer78 · 06-15-2007, 07:56 AM

Hi.
I already posted on here about my low white blood count & those of you who know me, know I have 7 more chemo treatments, before I'm done (with chemo). At least that's the plan for now.
I've already received valuable information, but I'm wondering about "diet."
My Oncologist told me to "eat anything to get calories in me..."
I'm wondering if I should add more protein---if that would boost my WBC any at all? I was a huge advocate of protein shakes before I had chemo, then it seems my stomach got upset easily, so I started watching milk. Last night I made a protein shake with rice milk, which I think is a lot easier for me to digest. I don't want to take anything that may interfere with my treatment (chemo).
I think they may boost me with a "growth hormone," and as you can tell, I'm still clueless about it. I stopped searching the internet, because it was panicking me a little.
Sorry if I'm reiterating myself from other posts---I mostly want to know about diet, at this point....although, like I said, my doctor just wants me to eat ANYthing...period.
Thanks in advance. I have more blood work today---I'm so trying to be a good patient and follow doctor's orders, yet I wonder if I should be stepping up my diet a little.

singer78 · 06-15-2007, 04:58 PM

Sorry guys.
I feel stupid for this post.
Everyone's answered on other sites for me, and I'm more informed.
Please disregard my rambling.....

mzchief · 06-16-2007, 07:04 PM

singer, i know i have replied to you before, but it doesn't mean i won't again! so you really shouldn't feel silly. even if you do feel silly, i think that's the least of your worries right now eh

i've been browsing this board for a long time now, as i thought (and my GP did) that i had lymphoma. but i just got news on friday that i'm all clear. obviously i'm very happy about that!

so although i've no need to read here anymore, i think i'll pop back now and then because i've become a bit attached to you all and i think you're all stars

i had to add that incase anyone was wondering what i was doing here

as for your diet... your doc wants you to fill up on calories which means you can eat sticky buns, so go for it! and with so much chemo still ahead of you, you will need to try and keep some weight on to help cover you for the times that you may have no appetite. if you have no fat, then your body starts eating away at muscle, which really isn't helpful, because you also need your strength. i know kids are different, but my son couldn't eat when he was ill and particularly before and after chemo. he had an NG tube fitted which saw him through for a couple of months until he regained an appetite. we were told to feed him anything that was loaded with calories. he even had lipids (fatty acids i think) fed to him IV. think of yourself like a camel and having to store some food for the potentially tough times ahead. although obviously, i hope they aren't too tough for you.

my only concern when reading your original post, was that you hadn't been informed about eating a "clean diet" when your neutrophil count was just .3, which is classified as severe neutropenia - anything below .5 falls into that category. when did you last get a blood count? are your neutrophils on the rise?

take care

gina xxx

singer78 · 06-16-2007, 07:21 PM

HEY---that's great news, Gina.
I'm really happy for you.
And, thanks for your information...
They didn't tell me what my count was (they said it was about the same)---just that I couldn't have chemo until next Friday, and that hopefully, my body will make more white blood cells on it's own. If it doesn't, then I have the "growth hormone" on, I believe, the following Monday. I don't know why I don't get it before-hand.
Yes, thanks for the info on the "clean diet." I went back to my high protein diet and am trying to eat healthy---drinking tons of water, etc.
Actually, my Oncologist didn't get the blood count results, until after we were almost done with my checkup. He then got very straight-faced, and solemn and said we'd have to have blood work done again, before my chemo--which, of course, didn't take place. Oh well...
I actually am kind of glad, because I know chemo plays havoc on your system, and I think this "break" is kind of nice---in a weird way. Although, I'm still disappointed in delaying my treatment.
Are there symptoms, other than fatigue, when your white blood count is low? I was looking on the internet, but started getting scared of what I was reading---I'd rather ask here. I used to get "panic attacks" (very few) when I was younger, and I'm afraid I'll start again, with the overwhelming-ness (is that a word?) of what I'm going through at the present. I'm so trying to "stay on track" and focus on getting well...but, it's so boring

staying inside, and basically losing my old life---temporarily.
Anyway, thanks for visiting this site & making friends & come back often.
I'll be here, I'm sure---for the long haul.
There's many people that have battled cancer & WON and come back as "cheerleaders" for the rest of us. I intend to do that. I realize how much these wonderful people do for us struggling with illness. Support is amazing, what it does.

mzchief · 06-16-2007, 07:52 PM

awww, thanks singer, i'm very happy with my good news too. it's been a long scary road.

i think what i learned going through my sons illness, is that everyone deals with their illness in a different way. we find coping mechanisms and find our comfort zones. mine was knowing everything. i had to know what lay ahead, the potential dangers etc.. whilst it was often very scary, i felt better able to cope. i remember being shocked when chatting to another parent and asking about blood counts etc., and she had no idea and clearly did not want to know. i even discussed this with the doctors. they said they had to learn exactly how much information any certain parent wanted, or could cope with. so, i can understand you not wanting to search. we are all different and that's a good thing

i know the unplanned break in your chemo must be disappointing, because you do plan around treatments etc.. but at the end of the day, this is more important to you than anything else, so let it be the priority and everything else will slot in around it. i'm sure your white counts will recover soon enough, even if you need a little help with the growth stimulator. needs must and all that.

i'm not sure that fatigue is a sign of low white counts. fatigue related to low blood counts is usually attributed to anaemia - low red counts. the concern with a low white count is not being able to fight infections. it's effectively your immune system. that's why you have to be careful with diet, hygiene etc.. if any friends/family are ill, try to keep away from them, or at least a safe distance. oh and do you have kids? small kids are risky to be around, they're little bug trails! but if you have one, there's not much you can do there

try not to be too worried about it, but at the same time, do look after yourself and keep up the healthy diet. perhaps you could ask your oncologist for a recommended diet list?

i must stay around a while, because i would like to keep in touch and offer a little support wherever i'm able. i got an awful lot of support from online friends and i will never forget how valuable it was to me

gina xxx