low immune system with vidaza, now pneummonia

[rpenrod1]

my mom who is 68 with no other health problems started her first round of Vidaza on Monday, Thursday after treatment she stated she was very tired. I took her temp and it was 104, so off to the hospital we did go. She has Pneumonia, low oxygen and rapid heart rate 144. Last night she suffered a slight heart attack. Today blood transfusion, etc etc. I know it is common to pick up sickness with low immune system. How long should one wait after receiving transfusion before beginning treatment again??

[Birgitta-A]

Hi Robin,
As you know Vidaza often gives low red blood cells, low white blood cells and low platelets the first four months. Then about 60 % of the patients have some kind of hematological improvement.

You have to follow your mothers counts - in this case specially the type of white blood cells called neutrophils. When they are low you should ask her dr if she should have Neupogen or a similar drug for low white blood cells. Then she has to be very careful and try to avoid infections in the future.

Here is a link about neutropenia: http://www.neutropenia.ca/about/living.html. I have followed these recommendations since I had neutropenic fever Aug-Sept 2007 and have not had any infection as far as I know (knock on wood!).
Kind regards
Birgitta-A
69 yo, dx MDS Interm-1 May 2006, transfusion dependent, Desferal 4 days with transfusions, Neupogen 2 injections/week after neutropenic fever 2007