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cancer
a friend is going thru chemo and radiation for advanced breast cancer. the last 3 times her blood was tested, she didn't have enough white blood cells to do more treatment. sorry if i sound dumb, but what does that mean? i know it's not good, but i was wondering if it's common.
09/21/09 and 08/16/2011
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Re: cancer
First, I'm sorry. Cancer sucks enough as it is, it must be frustrating for her to have to put a hold on treatment.
Each time you go in for chemo, they do a blood draw first to check for about 12 different things. It's all part of your check in- blood draw, weight, and then a quick general exam w/ your oncologist. Only after you get thought those three things will they let you receive your drugs.
Chemo's function is to stop cancer cells from growing, but unfortunately, it doesn't discriminate and will also stop healthy cells from growing (dividing), too. Your white blood cells are the key to your immune system- they are the infection fighters. So, in this case, if you're friend continues w/ chemo w/ her white blood count so low, her chances increase of getting sick through another way. Her doctor dialed back the chemo to allow for her white cells to have a chance to catch up.