Struggling through Chemo

Rona

Oh you wouldn’t believe it……. cancelled 😩. I’m all dressed up with my sis in our clown outfits, on our way and the doc called 😢. So my neutrophil count is too low and I am of high risk of infection 😩.
So…… off to doctor google I go to get answers 😂. Apparently a healthy adult will have a neutrophil count of between 2500 and 7000. Chemo patients obviously Is lower but now mine is too low (0.7). She told me to report straight to ED if I develop a temp or become unwell. Seriously could not believe it! 

As we were near the shops we decided to grab a few groceries and dressed as a clown was a little challenging to say the least 😂. So Katie, all in all I had a good day, no bell but hoping to rid of this taste with the unwelcomed set back. 

Katie46

Noooooooooo!!! Oh Rona, that must be so frustrating, I'm glad you could enjoy your day out anyway. On the bright side I'm sure your body will be happy with the break, mine is. Hopefully you'll be good to go next week, and you'll have another opportunity to wear your clown suit 😆

Rona

Well Katie, I’m hoping this taste in my mouth miraculously disappears and who knows….. might get a Chinese meal in 😂

Katie46

My ulcers have gone 🥳 Number 9 done, dose reduced by 30% so hopefully they won't come back 🤞

Katie46

Hi @Rona, did you ring the bell? 

Rona

Hi Katie…… I rang the bell and dinged the one on the counter! We got dressed up as where’s Wally 😂 and witches.
I slept all the way home and still feel exhausted today. I’ve actually even had to take a couple of ondanserton for nausea?? 

I’ve got a doc appointment in a few weeks to talk about meds and mapping for Radiation on the 20th….. now I’m scared about Radiation 😂. 

How are you going? I hope those ulcers stay away for the next few weeks for you 😊.

Katie46

Hi Rona! Yay! Congratulations at getting to the end of your chemo 🥳 hopefully your body will begin to recover soon. My ulcers are gone, hopefully to never return, it was like some form of torture. The week off and a 30% dose reduction has really benefited me, and I'm feeling a lot better, some of the fatigue I was starting to get again has lifted. My poor fingernails are in a terrible state, and I think I  might lose one of them, but they are less tender, although they still feel a bit weird. I have about 3 eyelashes left. I have an appointment scheduled for 3 June for my radiation set up, and we will be discussing my hormone treatment at my next appointment with the oncologist, I am pre menopausal so they are considering a couple of options. I'm not too worried about the radiation, it can't be any worse than trying to eat with what feels like hot pokers stabbing at my tongue. 3 more rounds to go, I should be done by 21 May.

Rona

Awwww, we’ve been through the wringer, haven’t we?? 

I’m hoping in 2 weeks time I will be going out for Chinese 😂😂. 

I’ve lost toenails and just waiting on 3 finger nails to go….. they look sooooo bad!
Ill let you know how it all goes….. how exciting getting my first ever tattoos 😂😂

Coastiejas

Hi @Rona and @Katie46
Congratulations @Rona on finishing chemo!! wooooo hooooo!! Loved that you dressed up for the last treatment!
I have 3 rounds left and finish on 23 May all being well..... 2 days after you @Katie46!
I appear to have gotten off lightly with r side effects.... mainly fatigue and a bit of heartburn  so far, crap nail quality on my hands and a bit of a sunburn like rash on my face occasionally. My liver issues have settled down on an 80% dose and lots of liver focused qigong. I'm seeing the radiation oncologist tomorrow.... so the light is emerging at the end of the tunnel! Enjoy that Chinese meal @Rona!

Katie46

Hi @Coastiejas, glad to hear you are doing ok and the liver issues have settled down. I also feel I got away fairly lightly with the side effects, apart from the mouth ulcers, everything else has been manageable. It is great to see the light at the end of the tunnel 😀 

Lesley777

I am ten years post diagnosis and still going strong.  Just logged on again as a dear friend has recently been diagnosed and is about to start treatment.  I recommended she join this group.  I wanted to wish Rona and everyone else going through this all the very best and to say, stay strong.  You will get there.  

Locksley

@Katie46 yes I had nose bleeds.   I had very very sore scabs up my nose.  The pain was excruciating.   I found some bepantham on a cotton bud a little helpful.  But nose didn't stop running so it was wiped away in no time.   It does eventually pass.  

Katie46

Thank you @Locksley, my chemo dose was reduced by 30% because of awful mouth ulcers, which are gone now, along with the nosebleeds and rashes. My fingernails are in a terrible state, but only time will fix them. Only 2 more rounds to go!

Locksley

@Katie46 hang in there.  Almost done.  

GorgyS

Hi all. I hope you keep going through the chemo treatment well despite many side effects. I'm just wondering if any of you who are on Taxol have been given Pegfilgrastim (Neulasta) injections to help fight infections that can arise from low white blood cell counts (WBC). My WBC was very low this week and my oncologist recommended postponing the infusion. As I am not happy with that especially I am on premedication to manage allergic reactions that I have already taken before the blood test results, I asked for the Neulasta as most of us was given it with AC. My oncologist wanted to try to check the blood for WBC today 30 minutes before Chemo and if it is above 1.00 I can go ahead. Will see today.