Subject:  DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT |
Author:
 Stacy
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Date Posted: 00:14:36 08/23/06 Wed
I was supposed to go in this Thursday for my Procrit shot (for red blood cells) but my doctor's office called to ask me to come in today (Tuesday)instead. My doctor will be out of the office on Thursday.
I went in and had my blood counts checked. WHOA! Everything was real low!! The nurses asked the doctor what he wanted to do about it. Dr. Hahn said to come back this Thursday anyway and have my counts checked again. He definitely wanted me to get my Procrit, so I got it after warming it up.
MY COUNTS
The white blood cells (WBC's) normal range is 4.8 - 10.8.
Mine were 2.4.
The red blood cells (RBC's) normal range is 4.20 - 6.10.
Mine were 2.82.
The hemoglobin (part of the red blood cells) normal range is 12.0 - 18.0.
Mine were 8.6.
The hematacrit (part of the red blood cells) normal range is 37.0 - 52.0.
Mine were 24.5.
Then there are the platelets........
The platelets (part of the red blood cells) normal range is 140 - 440.
Mine were 33.
Because the platelets are so low, I have to stop taking my Coumadin (blood thinner) and I cannot take ANYTHING with aspirin in it.
After I get my counts checked Thursday, if the platelets are still low they will decide if I should get another shot, get a blood tranfusion, or get platelets. Or do nothing if they are up.
Unless they drastically go up, I will NOT be receiving chemo next week. I'll have to wait until the following week. The doctor wants my blood to have a chance to heal itself.
A low platelet count is called Thrombocytopenia.
What the risks are:
excessive bleeding
fainting or feeling light-headed
hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
multiple punctures to locate veins
ABOUT PLATELETS
The human body does not handle excessive blood loss well. Therefore, the body has ways of protecting itself. If, for some unexpected reason, sudden blood loss occurs, the blood platelets kick into action.
Platelets are irregularly-shaped, colorless bodies that are present in blood. Their sticky surface lets them, along with other substances, form clots to stop bleeding.
When bleeding from a wound suddenly occurs, the platelets gather at the wound and attempt to block the blood flow. The mineral calcium, vitamin K, and a protein called fibrinogen help the platelets form a clot.
Calcium and vitamin K must be present in blood to support the formation of clots. If your blood is lacking these nutrients, it will take longer than normal for your blood to clot. If these nutrients are missing, you could bleed to death. A healthy diet provides most people with enough vitamins and minerals, but vitamin supplements are sometimes needed.
A scab is an external blood clot that we can easily see, but there are also internal blood clots. A bruise, or black-and-blue mark, is the result of a blood clot. Both scabs and bruises are clots that lead to healing.
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