Team,

One week into round two induction chemo. Round one white cells dipped early (week into treatment), then went down again. Was seeing MO (getting bloodwork) weekly. Got chemo last Wed, and was told I don't need to come back until rd 3 (Dec. 30). Is this normal? I kind of felt like the bloodwork weekly was a type of security blanket. Any experience?

I get my bloodwork every time I go for chemo, but only see the MO about every other week if all is going well. I can make an appt anytime with him. I saw him in the hall today and he stopped and asked if i needed anything and how I was doing today. He told me to keep my spirits up and keep smiling. The next time I see him in his office is not until Jan. 8th. I do see the RO weekly.

I also has blood work and meeting with MO weekly and both rbc and wbc were low after 3 weeks. I am sure your MO would see you if you had any concerms, ask your nurse
Steve

Thank you gentlemen, for your replies. I did call the nurse who assured me that it was normal to not meet weekly if all went well round 1.

Just to slap "normal" in the face, I developed a fever Friday evening - ignored it, because I got it to go back down - came back higher (101.1) Saturday night, and I've been hanging at the hospital since, with recurring fever with unknown cause and critically low wbc (I've asked 4 people for the number associated with "critical" in my case - no answer yet). Mouth sores have developed (not rampant, but enough to make eating impossible w/out viscous lidocaine - and not much with eating with it,but some). Wah! I know tons of people suffer much more during treatment. And I have to say, if I had seen my Dr. weekly, he probably couldn't have seen the fever that would come.

Whew, long rant. Be well - Merry Christmas!