Tighthead

I thank you for your comments and I will take it up with my doctor. Even though I cancelled my INFUSION I will go in and talk about the NEULASTA, NRUPOGEN, & get honest with the Chemo Staff & Doctor about how I really been feeling. ince my caregiver / women friend left I have found a nurse in the VA system who is sending a Social Worker to address my inability to do daily activities. Thanks for caring & sharing.....HANGING IN THERE!

There are really no foods to boost white blood cells (WBC). Time is the best remedy for low counts. Neulasta is best used immediately following chemo to help speed recovery of WBC counts. It is expensive and therefore not used for every patient in every circumstance. There is a similar injection for platelets called Neumega, but due to cost and side effects it is rarely used ( I personally do not use this drug). If low WBC counts occur in spite of neulasta then the only good preventive strategy is lowering the dose of chemo next cycle. Your doctor may feel that neulasta is not indicated, but it is worth at least mentioning. Best of luck.

Nuelasta was my remedy for low WB also. Same story as everyone else for red cells. Now that I am on Alimta, I haven't had a problem with either low White or red cells.

Hey, sorry you feel miserable :( . Have you talked to your dr about what else you can do? Fruits and whole grains and nuts are also good to help, along with the veggies you are already eating :). and getting plenty of rest. I hope these suggestions help, but most of all you need to talk to your dr and get plenty of rest. best of luck. If you need anything let me know, sending you blessings.

Well said, Tighthead. Please keep me updated on your treatment and progress and I will pray for you.

Richard

Hey there, sorry to hear your not doing good. Maybe you will be feeling better soon. When do you go back to see your dr? I will keep you in my prayers, hang in there...things will get better :)

I'm only collecting VA 30% disability which was flipped to Pension (100%) due to depression, can't retire only 59 years old. Was turned down for SSD in 1992, reapplied (flare up of PTSD) in 2009 after 9 years of employment & was denied 1/2011 & offered a ALJ (Administrative Law Judge) in person or video, but it never happened. In Nov. 2011 diagnosed with Lung Cancer & added to lawyer's case with supporting evidence to SSD, in order to get the additional moneys over the VA rate (approx $375 a month). I may be wrong, but I think cancer still would be calculated from the beginning of claim & added to the retroactive check? But, anything is possible when it comes to UNCLE SAM? Will keep you posted!

Well the deciding factor really isn't the illness or date of diagnosis. SSDI is all about whether or not you can or cannot work due to a disability. And SSDI requires you be unable to work for at least 12 months.

The hospital case manager called social security for me and then social security interviewed me over the phone as I was in hospital receiving 30 days continuous chemo for leukemia. I was approved almost immediately but had to wait 5 months to start getting checks. Not eligible for medicare until disables for 2years so my husband went to DHHR and applied for Medicaid. They informed him that I had to have 15000.00$ in unpaid medical bills to get medicaid, he got the Medicaid but need 15000.00$ (spend down) every 6 months to keep it. As of yesterday I found out that I have no medicaid until I rack up the spend down again, that will make 45000.00 in medical bills I've amassed just to get help from an institution I've paid for my entire life. I will get better after 2 years with no cancer ( leukemia) they will let me try working. At that time I have no idea what to do for insurance as no e will take me now. And no, I have no faith in obamacare or the president, and do not think that bill is constitutional. I'm in a pickle! But I am alive. I get permanent total disability, not SSI. So have the doc's office call and fax the diagnosis to the SS office, sometimes that helps.

Funny you should ask! We just published a guest post from the Sloan Kettering about noni. Here is the link to the post: http://blog.whatnext.com/blog/peer-perspectives/noni-for-cancer. It's a good place to start.

Please don't let people convince you certain things are "the" answer. I went to the health food store for some healthy ideas and they almost tripped over themselves telling me about noni...that's was all they were interested in pushing. The price is outrageous...of course, well worth it, if it was a cure but it's not or no one would have cancer..
healthy eating, exercise, positive attitude, enjoy life help make things better.

That stinks. But you've been doing great and you WILL battle through this.

Hey there, I've been thinking about you...sorry I haven't posted on your wall lately. I saw where you posted your Chemo treatment started on the 15th, I just wanted to let you know I will be praying for you. There is a blog link on the right side of this page at the top, I don't know if you keep up with them or not but they are good to keep up with and give good ideas, that might help as you go through this process. Ensure might help you, but ask your Dr about it or the people where you are going for your treatments, I'm sure they can answer any questions you have. Again, good luck and if you need anything feel free to contact me. I will be praying for you.

Well 3 weeks after surgery I saw my surgeon who informed me, "There's 2 spots I did not get." To address these 2 spots Chemotherapy is the next step. Once the surgery is done you can't have it done again (not now) & the chemo can destroy the cancer cells. I went to see the Chemo Team & the doctor gave me all the info (16 Weeks/4 months of Chemo) & then said, "I'll give you time to make up your mind about the INFUSION (In quarters/4 wks. 2 drugs 1st wk. next 3 wks. 1 drug)." All I could say, "There's nothing to think about." "WHEN DO WE GET STARTED?"

Surgery went well & I have healed GOOD. The burning sensation from nerves being severed, the feeling is coming back daily 2 normal. I'm gaining more strength, deeper breathing, fighting my addiction (patches daily), and family stopped with the "How U doing?" I thank God I was able 2 go thru the procedure because at one point I wanted 2 run away & LIVE with the cancer. IT WAS OK!