Forum Discussion
Infected boil after chemo
On Day 13 of cycle 1 of AC/Pax, I developed a huge boil on my outer vulva; it quickly became infected and responded to no topical treatment. Easter weekend. I should have immediately called ambulance, but didn't (my temp didn't hit 38 deg). Silly me. Saw GP on the Tuesday; he put me on antibiotics. It started to respond, but two days later, flared up again. Ambulance to hospital. Emergency dept - blood tests, swabs, IV antibiotics. Neutropenic with white cell count of 0.42 (minimum healthy is 4.0). 16.5 hrs in emergency before being transferred to an oncology ward. Four days in hospital, diarrhoea caused by the IV ABs, and risk that I couldn't have chemo on the Monday. I was so distressed by that. Finally at the last minute the oncologist gave the green light. However, she forgot to prescribe the G-CSF injection, which should have been done because I'd had a neutropenic incident. Fortunately, the superb chemo nurse picked up on that and got it corrected. I've learned a lot through this incident. For one thing, apparently our skin and hair always harbour bacteria which are usually dealt with by our white cells; but because they were so low, thanks to chemo, that didn't happen. It seems this can be quite common.The chemo nurse recommended an additional measure to minimise risk of a similar event, by having a warm saline sitz-bath a couple of times a day (huge new kitty litter tray on upturned milk crate in bathtub, because my dodgy knee prevents me from getting in and out of bath ! hilarious.) Now at Day 10 of cycle 2 and fingers crossed. And I've learned (and been instructed now) to call ambulance at ANY time if I'm concerned that things are not right.
31 Replies
- @Flaneuse I like shiny new things as much as most people, but I also haunt the op shops. I had my greatest find only a few weeks ago. I was walking back from the hospital after my DEXA and went into an op shop. Fell in love with a painting and bought it for $25. Showed it to an artist friend the next day who recognised the painter. Says it's worth $500!! Great fun, but I'm never selling it, I like it too much.
I will check out Millie on Gardening Australia! I used to work for the ABC (radio) back in the day, and my husband works for them now. Small world! - @kmakm - jugaad - what a great word! I think it runs in the genes - having grown up poor. But also my niece has it - she's Millie on "Gardening Australia" - the specialist in thrifty gardening - which is also the title of a book she wrote. She's a presenter and their chief researcher . What she does with bits of stuff she picks up at the roadside or in refuse tips is amazing. The recent episode where she and Costa used bits of rubbish to build a work shelter in her back yard was a triumph. On the other hand, my two children just go out and buy new stuff; they absorbed the socio-economic mobility factor!
- @Flaneuse, I think the kitty litter tray is purrrrfect....
- In Hindi they have a great word for this: jugaad. It means finding a low-cost solution to any problem in an intelligent way. Nailed it @Flaneuse!
- @socoda Actually, you could have charged extra for shows. I got over modesty when I had my kids. I've developed a line for GPs (and now for paramedics) - "I apologise in advance because it's not fair to ask you to look at an old woman's nether regions, but that's what I need to do."
Thank you so much to those who have suggested I seek referral to an occupational therapist to recommend solutions; but given that I needed to do this quickly ... and really, it is perfectly stable. I can hold both sides of the bath to get in and out, and I have the warm saline in jugs ready to pour in once I'm settled in the tray. On the other hand, I shall pursue the OT avenue to get set up for any future needs. After all, I turn 75 in June. - BC is a bit like going through IVF - you're just flashing the other half without thought!
- "I don't perform shows" lol! You are hilarious @socoda!! :D
- Hi @Flaneuse, good to hear that everything is slowly getting back under control. I used to be mortified about baring my bits but after BC, I no longer hesitate (only in the appropriate settings with the appropriate people mind you, I don't perform shows ;-) ). Should have charged viewing fees from all of the gynos. And how wonderful to hear about your sister being a survivor of 62 years, that's inspiring and it sounds like you both share the ingenuity gene. Big hugs lovely. Xx Cath
- What the! Enough to send anybody into a hissy fit! Geez it just keeps giving in unexpected ways!
- Oh @Flaneuse That's soooo awful and painful sounding but you've also painted an incredibly funny image.
And hat's off to your ex sister-in-law - what a challenge that must have been. I know it was bad years ago when nobody talked about it. And she's a survivor!
