February 2, 2012 - My White Blood Cell Count

It is early and I am searching the internet. I am very desperate to get out of taking this shot for my WBC count to be raised. I haven’t been eating hardly at all and I haven’t been resting much either since after chemo I get wiped out and so the time that I feel o.k. I am working hard to make up for the lost time. I really am dissatisfied with the lack of information that my oncologist has given as far as diet/ nutrition help. I am really considering going somewhere else at this point. MY WBC at the beginning was 7.9 and now it’s a 2.7, and I have taken the shot two times which means it should have bounced back. Now it’s probably lower than 2.7 as that was before chemo yesterday. I just need some help from someone besides my oncologist that just always want to give me more and more drugs.

This came from the Mayo clinic:

How can you cope with low blood cell counts?

Take steps to keep your body healthy when you have low blood cell counts. For example:

· Eat a balanced diet. Your body needs all the vitamins and nutrients it can get to heal itself during and after your treatment. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. If treatment complications make eating difficult — for example, if you experience nausea and vomiting or mouth sores — experiment to find foods you can tolerate.

· Avoid injury. Many everyday activities put you at risk of cuts and scrapes. A low platelet count makes even minor abrasions serious. A low white blood cell count can turn a small cut into a starting point for a serious infection. Use an electric shaver rather than a razor to avoid nicks. Ask someone else to cut up food in the kitchen. Be gentle when brushing your teeth and blowing your nose.

· Avoid germs. It's impossible to avoid all germs, but avoid unnecessary exposure when you can. Wash your hands frequently or use a liquid hand sanitizer. Avoid people who are sick and stay away from crowds. Have someone else clean the litter box, bird cage or fish tank. Don't eat raw meat or eggs.

· Rest. If you feel tired, stop and rest. Your body is working hard to fight the cancer cells and heal the healthy cells damaged by your treatment. Don't feel guilty about taking time for yourself and asking others to help you. Plan your most important activities for the time of day when you feel most energetic.