It has been a little while since I have posted. Things have changed drastically. My Mom became so weak and sick from treatment she could not take care of her self. She ended up in the ER and they admitted her for about a week. They stopped chemo because she was so sick but they did proceed forward with putting stents in place to begin the internal radiation.
At the age of 62 we had to put her in a nursing home from the hospital. She still is very sick from radiation throwing up and diareah. She has not ate again for the last 3 days. Today her blood work came back as LOW white blood cells. 1.7 was the result. The red blood cells also a little low but not as bad ad the white.
I am looking for any info on this subject. If anyone has anything to share with me on the white blood cells and or this situation. They also told us that in 3-4 weeks they want to see her again after she heals up a little and talk about starting chemo AGAIN
any advice??? When does a person get to the point that you tell them to stop treatment in just to live the rest of there life in peace instead of fighting for there life?
Thanks in advance for everyone taking the time to read.
Sue
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Drop in white blood cell count
- By Suedg
- Posted August 12, 2009 at 10:07 pm · 3 replies
- In Health challenges after treatment
- Shared with the public
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- By Bymyside247
- Posted August 12, 2009 at 11:37 pm
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I am terribly sorry to hear of your mother's condition. What a scary time for her & those who love her. I cannot give any advice on the WBC counts but when it comes to eating I know there are things that can encourage her to eat. The main thing that I know is medical marijuana. It can help with her pain and help give her some semblance of an appetite. I know some people may not be comfy with the subject because it is most known as an illegal substance associated with people who have self-control issues. This is not your mother's case. Maybe just look into it.
About when to tell your mother to stop fighting for her life........you don't. Not in my opinion anyway. Talk to her and see where she is at emotionally and let her know that you are there to support her in this fight. Let her chose when she is done fighting.
I remember your first post; you were so frightened. Keep praying and fighting along side her. I am so sorry that you are having to watch your mother hurt so bad. I know you want to see her rest and be ok.....but as long as she wants to fight, fight for her and along side her.
When I was 16, my boyfriend's mom was fighting for her life against cancer. My boyfriend was 19, and didn't know how to handle this emotional rollercoaster so he would be snippy with her. I remember her eyes the day she had come home from a garage sale with some little trinkets; he asked her why she bought those things, she was dying anyway. My heart shattered for her because her 2 boys was all she had; no friends to support her, no one but her 2 sons. Her son wanted her to stop fighting because he was hurting; she wanted to keep fighting because she didn't want to leave them or this world yet.
I told you that story because I watched a mother lose her life to cancer but the love of her children made her a strong fighter & no one was going to tell her to stop the fight.
My heart goes out to you and I pray that my story did not hurt you any more than you are already hurting.
- By Suedg
- Posted August 14, 2009 at 9:32 pm
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Thank you very much for taking the time to reply to me. I appreciate you sharing the story it realy helps.
Sue
- By bmood
- Posted August 14, 2009 at 11:54 pm
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Dear Sueda, My heart goes out to you and what you are going through with your Mother. I can tell you a little about the WBC count being low. As a retired science teacher, I know that WBC fight infection and other diseases that enter the body. These cells are necessary to rid the body of foreign substances that make us sick. The low count means your Mother's immune system is too weak to fight off the infections, and the doctors will need to wait before giving her any more treatments until she can handle it. Usually, when the WBC count is high, doctors know that there is an infection somewhere in the body, because the body makes more WBCto "fight". You might be surprised to learn that puss is nothing but dead WBC that have died fighting an infection. So the doctors know that until these cells are found plentiful enough in your Mother's blood stream to fight off infections, they don't want to make her sicker by giving her another treatment.
As advice that I'd give you, I can tell you from personal experience with my own Mother's cancer fight that the LAST thing she wanted was for me to act like there was nothing wrong. Don't let her cancer become the big gorilla in the room that everyone ignores. Your Mother will start feeling that she is alone fighting this battle. Allow her to talk about it. Tell her that shes is loved and always will be ...and just by YOU, but by God as well. God's ways are not always our way, but it is really very peaceful to know that God is in control and will always be a prayer away. My Mother wanted me to read the Bible to her. If your Mother is receptive to this suggestion, Start with the Book of John, then go to Romans. Many of the Psalms speaks of God's care over the sick. But the MAIN thing is to talk about this. She needs a sounding board, someone who will listen to her fears, and who can remind her that she does have a soul, and it never dies. Your Mother needs to put her trust in the one and only one that can bring her lasting peace...the Lord Jesus Christ. This is my prayer for you and your Mother. Lean not on your own understanding. But in ALL your ways (good or bad) acknowledge the Lord and He WILL direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:4-5) This is a promise. Claim it. And God bless you and your Mother.
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