Good news is that Lia's ANC level went back up to 1444! YIPPEEEE! This is the level that the doctor uses to determine Lia's ability to fight off infection. The higher the better!
Lia can re-start the Carboplatin drug therapy in addition to the Vincristine drug therapy next week IF the ANC level stays at 1000 for above!
Bad news is that the hemoglobin count dropped down to 8.6 and the platelet count dropped a lot to 272,000. If the hemoglobin drops to below 8, Lia will have to begin blood transfusions. If the platelet count drops to 80,000 or below we will see a lot more bruising on the baby and if it drops to 20,000 or below Lia will have to have a platelet transfusion.
Values for Children on Chemotherapy
Blood counts of children being treated for cancer fluctuate wildly. White blood cell counts can go down to zero or be above normal. Red cell counts decrease periodically during treatment, necessitating transfusions of packed red cells. Platelet levels also can decrease, requiring platelet transfusions. Absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) are closely watched as they give the physician an idea of the child's ability to fight infection. ANCs vary from zero to in the thousands.
Oncologists consider all of the blood values to get the total picture of the child's reaction to illness, chemotherapy, radiation, or infection. Trends are more important than any single value. For instance, if the values were 5.0, 4.7, 4.9, then the second result (4.7) was insignificant. If, on the other hand, the values were 5.0, 4.7, and 4.0, then the trend would indicate a decrease in the cell line.
Hemoglobin (Hgb) Red cells contain hemoglobin, the molecules that carry oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. Measuring hemoglobin gives an exact picture of the ability of the blood to carry oxygen. Children may have low hemoglobin levels at diagnosis and during the intensive parts of treatment. This is because both cancer and chemotherapy decrease the bone marrow's ability to produce new red cells. Signs and symptoms of anemia — pallor, shortness of breath, fatigue — may appear if the hemoglobin gets very low.
Platelet Count Platelets are necessary to repair the body, and stop bleeding through the formation of clots. Because platelets are produced by the bone marrow, platelet counts decrease when a child is on chemotherapy. Signs of lowering platelet counts are small vessel bleeding such as bruises, gum bleeding, or nose bleeding. Platelet transfusions may be given when the count is very low or when there is bleeding. Platelets are counted by passing a blood sample through an electronic device.
Approximately one third of all platelets spend a great deal of time in the spleen. Any splenic dysfunction such as enlargement may cause the counts to drop precipitously. If the spleen is removed, platelet counts may skyrocket. This transient thrombocytosis (elevated platelet count) usually goes away within a month.
NEW FUNDRAISER!
Lia Warrensford Foundation Bowl a Thon:
Host: Connie Nance
Type: Causes - Fundraiser
Network: Global
Price: $20 per person or $40 for family
Date: Sunday, October 25, 2009
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Location: Airport Lanes
Street: Airport Boulevard
City/Town: Sanford, FL
Phone: 4077929505
Email: cbug914@gmail.com
AIRPORT LANES
190 East Airport Blvd
Sanford, FL 32773
407-324-2129
LINK: See Facebook Cause : Lia Warrensford Foundation Bowl a Thon
http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?oid=130726832374&view=all#/event.php?eid=130726832374
Thank you, Connie Nance, for your kindness, dedication, and heart of gold for helping us raise funds to support Baby Lia's expenses during this stressful time!
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