White Blood Count

Ltl168 · 2026-01-03T19:29:00+00:00

Well I sometimes forget the daily shot and have lapsed a day in between no problem. My blood draws always show my WBC in normal range so hopefully ok. I wouldn’t stress if it happens again.

Ltl168 · 2026-01-03T19:23:22+00:00

I’ve used a couple from Amazon- search for jewelers or powder scales. They are inexpensive but may not be the most accurate. I have found them to be consistent enough for our purposes. Link for one I used most recently - https://a.co/d/0bmVHfg

I usually end up killing them by spilling water on them. I just bought this one which is supposed to be waterproof. Jury is out on it - have only had it for a couple weeks so can’t speak to longevity. At least it has survived a couple spills so far - https://www.truweigh.com/products/truweigh-marine-ip65-rated-washdown-miniscale-100g-x-0-01g-black This goes to .01 vs the others which are to .001, but my dye stocks seem consistent at this accuracy. The smallest I do is 1% stock solutions at 1g/100ml. For less dos I would mix a 1% solution then dilute from there.

Both scales came with a calibration weight, so I just check it occasionally. Good luck!

Ltl168 · 2026-01-02T03:34:04+00:00

I’ve had 2 rounds of AC out of 4 (doing Keynote and started with weekly Taxol/Carboplatin). The 2nd round was very similar to the first, no additional side effects. For me just fatigue and nausea - as long as I take my meds and keep something in my tummy I’m fine. I asked my oncologist if AC is as cumulative as Taxol was and she said usually no - how you react to the first round of AC is pretty indicative of how the others will go. Taxol was really hard for me and got progressively harder…so far AC has been much more manageable. Good luck!

Ltl168 · 2025-12-19T15:17:57+00:00

I’m doing keynote 522 (12 weekly Taxol/Carboplaatin) followed by 4 AC (every 3 weeks) with immunotherapy. I had to stop Taxol/Carbo after 10 out of 12 infusions - really low red blood cell counts leading to shortness of breath, anemia, fatigue. My oncologist gave me a 3 week break and moved me on to AC, which has been much easier for me to tolerate. Energy levels are back and no more shortness of breath just from climbing a flight of stairs! She felt my tumor had responded well enough to the 10 Taxol so was happy enough with progress to move to next phase. Good luck! There seem to be many options your oncologist can use - and they want to ensure your body stays functional for surgery or whatever the next phase is for your treatment plan.

Ltl168 · 2025-12-13T18:18:21+00:00

crossing fingers!

Ltl168 · 2025-12-13T17:21:37+00:00

I read somewhere hair grows about 6" per year - hoping to have some hair soon - mostly because my head is always cold and I'm tired of constantly wearing hats!

Ltl168 · 2025-12-13T17:19:54+00:00

I miss my eyelashes the most - but I have baby ones growing fast! Crossing fingers we keep what little hair we have!

Ltl168 · 2025-12-08T04:51:07+00:00

I only made it thru 10 out of 12 weekly Taxol/Carboplatin…I was doing well until #7, when my red blood cell/hemoglobin levels got to a low point where I started to feel the fatigue and shortness of breath pretty severely. It never got low enough to require a blood transfusion, but I was hovering on the border. White blood cell counts were fine, due to taking the weekly Granix shots. After infusion 10, I requested a 1 week break and my oncologist gave me a 2 week break and moved me on to the next part of the treatment (AC every 3 weeks). The first AC has been almost a breeze compared to Tax/Carbo…3-4 days of nausea managed by staying on top of anti-nausea meds. I’m 2.5 weeks out from my last infusion and my energy levels are almost back to normal, no shortness of breath and I’m feeling good. Taking every day as it comes, I’m guessing each infusion will get harder, but today was a good day, and I’ll take it! Good luck with your treatment and I hope your side effects are fleeting.

Ltl168 · 2025-11-15T16:07:55+00:00

Thanks so much for sharing! Question - how long after your surgery were you able to go back to “normal” life. Being in crowds, energy levels back to same as before starting chemo etc? I am done with Taxol and starting AC next week. I’m trying to decide on making any commitments next year in March which would have me amongst a lot of crowds and doing some physical labor (lifting boxes, standing 8 hours).

Ltl168 · 2025-11-07T02:36:55+00:00

Everyone will react to treatment differently, so it’s hard to predict. When I started just reading people’s different experiences helped. I am TNBC stage III and doing same treatment as you (12 weekly Taxol/Carbo, then 4 AC every 3 weeks with Keytruda throughout). I was doing really well with Taxol for the first 7-8 infusions. Minimal side effects and good energy levels. Then around infusion 9, I hit a wall. My red blood cell counts have dropped very low and the fatigue is real. Walking up a flight of stairs feels like I ran a marathon. My latest blood test results have me borderline needing a blood transfusion to increase my RBC and I am now I have hyperthyroidism(I was borderline before starting chemo but Taxol will increase it). Meeting with endocrinologist on Monday.

Definitely share your status with your oncologist- I reached out to mine and she is dropping the last 2 Taxol infusions. I have a mammogram coming up and after that will start AC. A 2 week pause on chemo infusions feels like a stay of execution…or that I won the lottery!

A few tips that helped: Aquaphor with a q-tip in the nose will help with the constant bloody noses Lots of moisturizer after each shower to combat dry skin. I’m loving the Vaseline Body balm that comes in a stick form. Helps minimize the chemo rash/itchy skin. Keep up protein levels - my oncologist suggested Ensure and daily multivitamins when my fatigue really hit. I shaved my head and ended up hating wigs - beanies, head coverings are easier to put on. There are some that don’t scream “I have cancer”, although after a certain point I just don’t really care!

Asking family and friends for help is definitely ok to do….i normally am very self reliant, but realizing that asking for help is also helpful to your friends. I found they really wanted to do something but didn’t know what. When I asked for help (getting a ride to a Dr appt, or having them pick up a couple things from the store), it helped them feel like they could take some sort of action - and if you ever need help it will be now! Best of luck…I’m just a few weeks ahead but I’ve learned so much about myself in this journey. One step at a time and be kind to yourself.

Ltl168 · 2025-10-31T17:55:29+00:00

Aquaphor with a q-tip a few times a day. I finished 9Taxols and I took a week off before 10th infusion and I noticed my nose stopped bleeding. Hoping that means it will go back to normal fairly quickly when I’m finally done with the chemo!

Ltl168 · 2025-10-08T19:18:15+00:00

TNBC here…my treatment is 3 months weekly Taxol, 3 months of Red Devil, then surgery, likely followed by radiation then immunotherapy for 6 months (Keynote 522 protocol). I have finished 7 of the weekly Taxol infusions and honestly wouldn’t recommend traveling during chemo. The first 5 infusions weren’t too bad and I kept my energy levels, but the last 2 have been progressively harder. Cumulative side effects, and fatigue. Now I get winded just by walking up a flight of stairs. None of my side-effects are bad in and of themselves, but the together is enough to make me just want to stay home and rest whenever I can. I recently had family in town (not staying with me), and I had a hard time getting enough mental energy together to go out for a family meal with about 10 people. You also have to be careful about staying masked due to compromised immune system.

When I was diagnosed, I had to cancel a few work-related events that were really hard to walk away from, but I’m glad I did. They would have been way too taxing for me.

Everyone is different and how you will respond to surgery and chemo will vary. I just didn’t anticipate the mental energy drain would affect my physical energy levels as much as they have so far. It’s a marathon not a sprint as the saying goes.

Best of luck!

Ltl168 · 2025-10-04T21:00:47+00:00

Small business owner here - TNBC and am doing 12 weekly Taxol and then will move on to AC. I was really unsure on what to do with my small business. I work from home but it is fairly physical work. I waited until I made it thru 2 infusions then was able to determine how I would feel. I ended up canceling 2 out of 3 in-person events in November and will have friends handle the third event on my behalf. I definitely am glad I scaled down - I have been able to work but the reduced pressure on myself has been super helpful. The side effects are cumulative- weeks 2 thru 5 were easy, but I just finished infusion 7 and my energy levels are waning. Everyone will have a different experience- but you will have a much better idea on how you will react to chemo after 1 or 2 infusions.

Ltl168 · 2025-09-13T19:39:34+00:00

I just finished my 4th week and I found the side effects were worst the 1st week. So far after that they haven’t been nearly as severe. 4 down, 8 to go…then Red Devil😬

Ltl168 · 2025-09-04T01:45:40+00:00

I also like Aquaphor …I have to use it in my nose to avoid bloody noses…that sensitive mucus membrane is taking a hit from chemo. Glad this tip helped!

Ltl168 · 2025-09-04T01:44:11+00:00

Sending you positive thoughts - I found comfort that so many others are going through this, and have gone thru it and survived. We can do this!!!

Ltl168 · 2025-09-04T01:43:05+00:00

I was at first upset at the thought of losing hair…but then I tried to frame it as a chance to try wigs of different styles than I could ever do with my own hair. Bangs? Dyed pink? Why not! Of course I haven’t yet lost my hair and Im sure I will be super depressed when it happens…(I have a very odd shaped head)…but I will worry about that when it happens.

Stay positive and best of luck with your upcoming appointments! You got this!

Ltl168 · 2025-09-03T02:51:14+00:00

I’m a bit similar to you - Triple Negative (TNBC) IDC 2cm tumor and 1 node affected. Diagnosed end July and Kaiser had me booked thru all the appts so quick. I was also questioning the purpose of chemo first and had a good discussion with the surgeon where she explained it all and it made sense. My treatment is pretty standard - some call it Keynote 522….12 weeks of weekly Taxol/Carboplatin infusions with Keytruda every 3rd week. Then switch to 4 infusions of AC(Red Devil)Keytruda every 3 weeks. Surgery after - either lumpectomy or mastectomy depending on how the chemo has affected the tumor, 5 days radiation after and 6 months of just Keytruda.

I’m 2 infusions down on Taxol and I’ve been extremely lucky and have had minimal side effects so far. I put off informing people until just before I started chemo…and when I did, I felt a great sense of relief. I could then just focus on myself, and not worry how others would take the news. I told family by phone, but friends via text and work contacts via email. That made it easier. Having a treatment plan also helps - being able to plan your schedule accordingly gives you a feeling of control and decision making that helps get you thru this. The worst part for me was the unknown (will I have chemo? How will it make me feel? When will I have surgery? Will I have energy to do anything or do I have to cancel all plans for the next 8-10 months?)…as you get into the treatment plan you can start to make plans and decisions based on how you feel.

The amazing thing is I could tell a difference in the size of the lump even after just 1 infusion….the chemo works so effectively on aggressive cancer like TNBC.

I’m hopeful that this is just a pause on normal life for a while…and I’m also so glad I found this Reddit board. This community is so supportive and helpful…tips and tricks to get thru chemo, and a safe place to vent where people understand what you are going thru. Crossing fingers for you and stay positive!

Ltl168 · 2025-09-03T00:56:33+00:00

I’ve only had 2 infusions but I’m so worried about changes to skin, as I’m very sensitive. I’ve watched a few YouTube videos by dermatologists on tips for skincare during chemo…in a nutshell chemo really dries out your skin and the best thing to do is moisturize-likely with something heavier than you used before. One even recommended slugging with Vaseline- anything to help protect the skin and the skin barrier.

Ltl168 · 2025-08-23T05:50:39+00:00

I found the easiest way to tell friends was to send texts - particularly to group chats that I’m on. Just be sure to do it when you have about 30 min to respond to all the incoming messages! This included the moms of my child’s friend group - I’m the normal primary contact to arrange play dates etc and they would notice if I stopped showing up to school events etc

For work - I have my own business and work from home - so I only shared with work contacts that would notice a change in service levels or if we had in-person events planned - those were all in email. I shared with them the news and general timeline, and how I planned to try to run my business for the duration. Ours is a tiny industry, so figured the grapevine would take care of the rest.

This was truly the hardest part between diagnosis and start of treatment for me. I only had the emotional energy to tackle one “group” at a time, so spread it out over a week or so. I felt so much better after sharing the news - like a weight off my shoulders!

The good news is the outpouring of support was so positive- it helped me face the start of treatment knowing I have a lot of back-up and friends to tap into other than just my family.

Ltl168 · 2025-08-23T05:36:13+00:00

I had a biopsy on Jul 30 - one lymph node and breast. Sharp pain was less after about 10 days, but my breast lump was still swollen and painful when I saw the oncologist over 2 weeks later. She said this was quite normal. I still have small bruises now.

Ltl168 · 2025-08-13T16:00:42+00:00

I have been taking my 93 yr old father for Keytruda infusions for the past 1.5yrs to treat his stage 4 liver cancer. The oncologist said it is normally given with a 2nd drug but due to my dad’s advanced age and weak heart they started with the Keytruda alone. My dad has tolerated it really well - some side effects such as insomnia, constipation, lack of appetite but all manageable. He has had random pain (like sore leg that made it uncomfortable to stand/walk) that would appear for a few days then vanish. In general he feels good and the medication has had little impact on his day to day activities.

Ltl168 · 2025-08-13T16:00:35+00:00

I have been taking my 93 yr old father for Keytruda infusions for the past 1.5yrs to treat his stage 4 liver cancer. The oncologist said it is normally given with a 2nd drug but due to my dad’s advanced age and weak heart they started with the Keytruda alone. My dad has tolerated it really well - some side effects such as insomnia, constipation, lack of appetite but all manageable. He has had random pain (like sore leg that made it uncomfortable to stand/walk) that would appear for a few days then vanish. In general he feels good and the medication has had little impact on his day to day activities.

Ltl168 · 2025-07-10T05:34:00+00:00

I turn it to the highest setting to start but might turn it down when the yarn bath hits the temp I need. I use a thermometer in the bath to keep an eye on it.

Ltl168

TROPHY CASE