what is lymphoma | What is the Aplasia?

What is the Aplasia?

Chemotherapy temporarily block bone marrow activity, reducing the production of blood cells; It's the aplasia.


During this period, which occurs between the 8th and the 15th day after the administration of the products, it is important to maintain good behaviour in order to avoid any risk of infection.

At the food level, you have to be particularly vigilant. Here is a list of precautions to be taken (caution this list is not exhaustive):

Boil the food and consume it hot.
Do not keep leftovers; Discard what was not consumed immediately.
Exclude food at risk: raw milk, dairy, fresh cheese, raw or rare meat, minced meat, seafood, mayonnaise, raw vegetables and fruits (except those with large skins), charcuterie.
Exclude powdered foods: greater risk of contamination.
Check the expiration dates correctly.
Ensure the hygiene of food storage (fridge and cupboards)
Focus on food in individual packaging.


Below you will find a table with authorized/banned foods during the aplasia that can help you see more clearly during this period.

I personally used this painting during my aplasies (it is always hung on my fridge....) to not make mistakes and spend this bad period more serenely.

In everyday life, you must avoid contact with sick people (especially small ones), avoid public places, have good hand hygiene, make sure that the dishes are well washed (and well rinsed!).

It is also preferable to clean and sanitize before Aplasia, but also to avoid unnecessary fatigue afterwards.

The symptoms of Aplasia are:

A lot of fatigue.
Possible respiratory problems (cough, shortness of breath) especially if the hemoglobin level is low (anemia)
Muscle weakness and pain all over the body (as if we were 80 years old!)
Neutropenia (decrease of some white blood cells)


In some cases (decided by the doctors) if the aplasia is too large, growth factors can be injected. It is also possible to use a blood transfusion if the red blood cells are too low and in very rare cases a transfusion of white blood cells.

The growth factors are intended to stimulate the production of cells in the bone marrow. There are two types:

EPO that will bring back the red blood cells (this is what the riders of the Tour de France use to Dope.....)
The granulocytaires growth factors that will bring back the white blood cells: Zarzio, Nivestim or Tevagrastim (to name only those that I personally tested).
The administration is done by injection (it stings in the fat so the thighs or belly) and over a period defined by the doctors. This is not automatic; It all depends on the blood results and the doctor's assessment.

As far as I am concerned I have had the injections of growth factors for all my aplasies and EPO for several months. Growth factors cause bone pain in the pelvis that are very unpleasant. I had to change the injections several times because the side effects were unbearable and I could not sleep; At my first aplasia, I spent 3 nights with sorts of "contractions" in the basin and so I did not sleep for 3 days! I was in a terrible state!

So during this period, we try to stay a little quiet, to rest and to think about oneself (and his health). I know that it is particularly difficult to live and trying but unfortunately we do not cut it (according to the protocols it is more or less strong).