I'm concerned because my husband's radiation treatment was cancelled Friday d/t low wbc's - 1.3 and then was cancelled again today d/t machine malfunction. His wbc's were 1.8 today. He has 6 more booster treatments left to his tonsil. Should I be concerned about this disruption? Nothing I can do about it anyway but we are frustrated.
Janet

Hi Janet,
I don't recall Jerry's radiation treatment being cancelled because of low wbc (which he did have) but I know they skipped Thanksgiving and would have skipped Christmas. Hopefully all will be well tomorrow.

Teresa

My Mom had some of her radiations delayed due to the low wbc, a fever and overall poor health caused from the chemo and radiation. It happend on two different occassions both incidents a week after the chemo. The doctors did not seem to think it was going to cause any problems.
As long as he is getting his radiation in conjuction with the cisplatin hopefully it will be very effective. Best wishes that he regains his health soon!
Tami

Janet
We had a break of a week in treatment when Pete was in hospital. The Doc

oops ... Oh my, sorry I do not know what happened there!
The Doc`s will not let him go too long in between if they can help it.
I know it`s scarey but hang in it won`t be long till this is over.
Take care
Marica

Thanks everyone! New question - does anyone have an opinion on the efficacy of duragesic vs Vycodin elixir for the constant cough/phlegm/throat pain stage he's now in? He will take the elixir but not try the patch which I think would give him better relief.
Janet

You can't puke up the patch. It's much stronger and more effective then Vicodin (which is a medium strength pain reliever). Besides Duragesic (AKA Fentanyl) is a "long term" opioid whereas Vicodin is a "short term" one. "Short term" pain relief is mainly for breakthrough pain (morphine is actually one of the most effective in that it starts working in about 30 minutes). "Long term" narcotics such as Duragesic or Oxycontin are used to moderate the ongoing day to day pain. The patch is good for 72 hours at a time.

Does he have a swish & spit numbing solution also?

I had several breaks due to equipment failures and missed a couple of days because I was too sick.

Oh my goodness, the patch ALL THE WAY. On the scale of pain meds, Vicodin is like one step up from codeine-Morphine works for some-didn't work at all for my dad. He ended up on the patch and squirting short acting oxycodone into his peg. YES, they make this in a syrup. Now, we are happy to report that he is weaning off of his Fentanyl patch. You have to gradually decrease it when your done due to physical withdrawl. Janet, my dad had over a week break-boy did that so wonders for him. I can see your fear and anxiety, it will be okay. We didn't worry about it, the Docs know. Breaks are very, very common. Hang in there!! You will make it. If he does go on the patch be aware that Fentanyl is a very powerful drug. Know that it will peak anywhere from 6-12 hours. It peaked at 6 for my dad. Just be with him to ensure he tolerates it well and get lots of education on the powerful narcotics.