Hi my mom has been living with lymphoma for three years now.  She is 78, she was to under go another chemo treatment this last Thursday but was told her potassium level was too low to obtain chemo treatments.   I was told the Drs also said we should let the extended family know that she may needing hospice and home care soon and gave us phone numbers for them.  This was how I found out.  What does the low potassium and know chemo treatment this last week say/mean?  I wish I had more information, but Im not allowed to talk with the Dr per my Moms request.  I guess because I ask to many questions I supose which transforms into, trying to take over her life, oh well thats a long story.  Whats your thoughts on this latest developement?
Hi, Thanks for writing in. Our body requires ions and electrolytes to keep the organs working normally. There are sodium, potassium, calcium channels and these regulate the flow of information in to and out of the cells. The functions include the regulation of heart beat, the functioning of kidneys, liver and brain and important vital functions in the body. Potassium is one such important electrolyte which needs to be balanced in a narrow range. If the potassium amount is altered then giving chemotherapy might cause imbalance and lead to muscle fatigue, heart malfunction or kidney and brain dysfunction and death. To avoid this situation the doctors have withheld the decision to start chemotherapy unless the potassium levels are back to normal