Having surgery with low hemoglobin

[Joe Catalano]

Canceled hip surgery due to fuse about my low hemoglobin. Oncologist said there should be very little bleeding, and I should have nothing to worry about but still I am concerned. Got a second opinion coming up, hoping to resolve hip pain through injections. Has anyone had surgery and any problems that ensued?

[Jimmy Greenhut]

Joe, you should do fine. They’ll do a type & cross beforehand so afterwards if you need a pint or 2 you’ll get it. Had hernia surgery & stents with upper 8’s HGB. Your Dr gave you the green light to go ahead. They cover all the bases day of CBC & Diff so they know. Proper protocol with us. GL get the surgery and hopefully you’ll be pain free.

[Ashley Moncrief]

Thanks so much for writing in! I agree that they take all the precautions needed prior to surgery to make sure they have blood ready if you need it. Often what matters most before surgery is your platelet count because it can determine your risk for bleeding. They typically do a CBC the day before or day of surgery to ensure everything is good to go.

[Joe Catalano]

Thank you, Jimmy and Ashley for your comments. It’s good to know from people who have had or know someone who’s had the experience. I know a lot about the second opinion doctor I’m going to see and I like him and trust him very much. I’ve been on the fence and you have helped me move a little bit off that fence. With a good experience with the doctor, I should be able to make a more confident decision

[Owen Maguire]

Just saw your post Joe and don’t know if you made your decision so will share my experience in event it helps. I have been on Vidaza since Apr 2017. Am Trilineage ( low Hem,Platelets & WBC.) Was tiring easily, and could no longer do a very slow 3km walk. Thought Hem had taken a dive but Echocardiogram showed I had a blocked Aeortic Heart Valve. Heart Surgeon said at 84 years old they would do a TAVI. Catheter with replacement valve shoved through artery in groin up to old valve and shoved inside. Liaison with my Hem/Onc and first question to her what was my projected Life Span. She said 5 years. It was a go. Lots of blood crossmatching to prepare and more than normal monitoring after operation. In one day with operation. CBC done every 2 hours during the night and released the next afternoon after a final CBC. No transfusions necessary and my daughter flew from Vancouver to Calgary to be a caregiver for 2 weeks. Operation was a success and was back on Vidaza the next week. As an aside, in Aug this year my stomach was so sore from needlemarks that would not heal that I commenced treatment with Inqovi tablets. This has so far been a frustrating experience as there has been a significant drop in most areas of my CBC and my Hem/Onc is searching for a proper dosage of Inqovi. Should have a plan in place by next Tue.

[Jimmy Greenhut]

Owen, you should of been advised of a port or picc line. Not the shots in the stomach. I went through 5 cycles of Vidaza. Side effects and still needed transfusions. If it was working for you? ask that you don’t want shots in the stomach. I’m in clinical trials now. Inquovi was offered too. Side effects made me opt for the trials. Glad your surgeries went well too, all considering. Best of luck to you too.

[Owen Maguire]

Hi Jimmy

They will not use port here and I believe most Cancer Centres in Canada. Asked about it a number of years ago. They are not backward and the new Calgary Cancer Centre that will open in 2024 will be the second largest and diversified in North America. I was at a presentation by the Canadian Aplastic Anemia and MDS Society last Sat and had a chance to speak with the head of MDS Transplant team. I had met her before and she backs up my Hem/Onc when she is away. Said that my name and file came before the Inqovi Review Committee and I met all the requirements for treatment with the oral drug. Is normal to have CBC Levels drop with this drug until proper dosage can be determined. Reassured me that this will happen fairly quickly but as I said previously a frustrating experience even though I had read about side effects before starting treatment.

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