I just wanted to say sorry for not being around for the past week and a bit, but last Thursday we had a 7pm dash to the ER, when my temped spiked to 38.9C, by the time we got to the ER (about 5 min's down the road) it was 39.9, and by the time the checked my temp, gave me a mask and walked me to the isolations room, it was 40.6C <eek>, so in about 30 mins it jumped to 40.6C.
I was admitted to the hospital with neutropenic septicarmia otherwise known as febrile neutropenia. My neutrophil count was 0.00, all my other white cells were low and my red cells and hemoglobin were also low. I was put straight into isolation and anyone entering my room had to wear a gown, gloves and a mask. I was put on IV antibiotic and had daily blood tests. I was finally allowed homeon Wednesday afternoon after my neutrophil count got up to 1.3. I am on oral antibiotics, and have to stay away from sick people, crowded places etc.
I saw my oncologist yesterday and he is happy with my recovery and my counts have raised enough that I can have my chemo as planned on Monday, but I am now to have a neulasta injection the day after my chemo, to help prevent this heappening again.
There is NO internet access in my hospital, so I was unable to get online and keep in touch.
I have 80 messages to get through as well as heaps of new posts and will slowly get through them, and catch up.
So that has been my fun ☻ week.
Comments
Oh shaz,
I'm sorry you had to go through that! The exact same thing happened to me after my first round of chemo. I wasnt very nice at all!! Did you have to go on a nuetropenic diet too? I did. I also had the iv antibiotics, I think 9 in total and had to have 2 units of blood. I must admit I was shocked to need the blood but wow did that give me the energy of 10 men for about a week. Like the nurse said to me...berocca in a bottle!
For internet access I had a USB modem so was fortunate enough to have internet access! My laptop was my best friend for me to also watch movies etc. Especially when my little one came to visit me.
Hope you are feeling better now!
Tania xx
Poor you ! Hope the next is easier. Have heard some peple have a bit of pain from the neulasta, so be prepared.
Best wishes..... Pam
Hi again,
I found the neulasta didnt really hurt until 6 days after having it and the pain was my hands and feet and in my pelvic area. But it only lasted a day or so with the pelvic bone area. My hands and feet are still recovering
xx
Ouch, Shaz! Sorry to hear that. You must have been feeling pretty awful. Put your feet up over the weekend if you can, havea good read and take it easy. Di
Thanx everyone.
This will be my 4th cycle, and I will only have 2 more after this cycle.
My oncologist warned me that the neulasta can cause bone pain and gave me extra dexamethasone, as he said this helps a lot with that pain, and told me to take pain killers as needed.
I felt fine the whole time, just tired and hot.
I think I had about 12 lots of IV antibiotics, but wasn't given any blood.
Am on oral antibiotics now, and will be for a week.
Have my bloods taken AGAIN on monday before chemo (thank goodness those ones are done through the port, becasue my poor right arm is bruised.
They had troubles finding a vein(s), and removed the IV antibiotics after about 3 days, when they went to change the cannula, but couldn't find a new vein (tried twice and left me all bruised, and the 1st one left me with a big egg on the side of my arm, preventing my elbow area from being used, as it was too swollen, the chemo nrses would not let them use my port, becasue they don't know how to care for it on the wards, they can totally stuff it up, and I need it for my next 3 chemos and the 12 herceptin after that).
Was on full neutropenic protocols in the hospital, including diet,but now just have to be careful of what Ieat, hot food, hot, cold food cold, not fresh raw foods, everything cooked properly, no food that has been sitting around, and the same things that are not allowed for pregnant women (no soft cheeses, blue cheeses, soft serve ice cream etc etc).
I had lots of movies on a little hard drive and my laptop, just no internet access.
Hi Shaz
Sorry to hear your pain. I hope you are feeling alot better.
Take it easy and rest up big time.
Will be thinking of you, love Julie XX
Hi Shaz
I had definitely been wondering where you were and I was worried about you and I can see now I had good reason. You poor luv. Very scary. Thank goodness I haven't had to endure that at all yet and I now only have one more Taxotere to go on 20 June all being well. It is definitely a fear I have had in the back of my mind the whole time and have packed an emergency hospital bag in the ready as instructed :-)
I have had to have the Neulasta injection since my first chemo because my white cell count has always been so low. I now give it to myself the day after chemo as I am too far away to get back up to the hospital. And for me yes I have found that it does give me even more bone pain on top of the Taxotere. I don't use Dexamethasone as I have enough trouble with what symptoms that causes me with anxiety, panic attacks, buzzing etc when I do have to take that. I use pain killers as Panadol doesn't work for me. I went to my GP today who has prescribed a pain patch for me because I have such a long extended time of pain.
I wish you a full recovery from the Neutropenia and hope you are doing better now. Glad you back on board kiddo.
Mich xoxo
glad you are home
Sorry you had to go through all that, but glad you are home now and it seems ready and eager to finnish of these last 2 rounds and move on, you are one strong lady and I am in awe of your strength and courage keep up the great work
Cheers Narelle
Neulasta injection
Hello,
I also had to have this injection the day after chemos. I found it made my bones ache for about 3 days after it but apparently this is normal and what is supposed to happen.
Good Luck with your further treatment
Thanx everyone, looking forward to these last 3 chemo cycles being over, then it is just Herceptin.
I have been pretty lucky though as apart from this hiccup, and loss of appetite and lack of interest in food (and weight loss - lost 2.5kg in the last 3 weeks - only weight loss of chemo so far though, and workign hard to prevent more), FATIGUE andoccasional abdo pains/cramps and joint/ muscle pains, i have been pretty good, NOWHERE near as bad as I thought it would be. EVerything has been something I could deal with and I haven't had to or wanted to postpone any of my cycles.
I am hoping the neulasta, will prevent another neutropenic attack, and I can deal with bone etc pains (I have stron pain killers on hand - for my pre-existing conditions, so can take them).
Hi Shaz
Just letting you know, I am sending big hugs to you.
I know you will be lucky and get thru all this horrible stuff.
Hang in there sister !!!!
Love Julie XX
Uh oh!
I had a temp the other night, but thankfully it only got to 37.5
I will get neulasta from next cycle. So hopefully we will avoid that issue for the rest of AC.
Glad to hear your home again.
xx Dan xx
I get quite a few 37.7 and below, but was told not to worry until it got to 38.
40.6 was a bit of a shock though and luckily I was under hospital care when that happened.
Had the neulasta on tuesday and touch wood, so far no temps and no serious bone pain or anything (a little minor pain, but I get that with chemo anyway).
I had my 1st Neulasta at the chemo clinic (so that they could monitor me for reactions), and I had no reactions so now I can have them at home, with the community nurse giving them (can't give them to myself as I have issues with my arms and hands).
I also had low potassium so am on HIGH dose potassium suppliments (600mg x 2 twice a day) (which were making me sick, I have spread them out a bit more now and they are better (600mg x 1 4 times a day). i started them on Monday evening, had a blood test Wed was still low, so have to continue until Tuesday and have another blood test to see if I can stop them.