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
- You're on!
- @kmakm If I'm ever in Melbourne again or you're in Brisbane ...
- @Sister Wow!
- My biggest mixing bowl belonged to my great-grandmother (she was born in 1853). But I need help if I'm using it because it is big and heavy when full - those women had muscles.
- @Flaneuse @Sister I have my grandmother's rolling pin too! And several of her bowls. I think of her everytime I use them. I have photography on my walls too Flaneuse, as well as art by friends and family. And art I've picked up on my travels. It's the best souvenir. I think you and I would get on rather well, it seems like we have a lot in common!
- @Sister Oh, using the stuff owned by my grandmother is such a treat. I use some of her things every day - and my mother's, too. My ten year-old grandson - who takes a great interest in baking - now has my grandmother's solid ceramic rolling-pin.
- I like new and shiny too at times but also love op shops and feel a real connection when I'm using something that belonged to my parents, grandparents or greats. We were living in the burbs for 18 months a couple of years ago and furnished half the house with things from the local hard refuse collection. Sold some of it when we left, too.
- @kmakm I understand the solace. Me too. A lot of what's on my walls and in collections in books is photographic; and that brings - as well as appreciation of the beauty of the composition and impact of the work - memories of people, places, moments, and how I came by it.
- We've been in the same industry. Art is a great pleasure and solace for me. Appreciating that is... can't draw or paint at all!
- @kmakm It is indeed a small world. One of my daughter's best friends where she lives in the Blue Mountains is an editor at the ABC in Sydney - was working on David & Margaret's Movie Show and some kids' programmes - is now working on Gardening Australia since its expansion to an hour. So of course she has hooked up with Millie. I never got to work with the ABC - was about to start writing for the old drama series "GP" when it was axed. Did a lot of work for SBS - I'm talking 1990s - most of that eventually axed too, because of funding cuts.
It's great to fall in love with a special piece of art and know you'll own it forever. I love it when people come to my house - police for JP service, tradies, grocery delivery people - whoever - and fall in love with the stuff on my walls too. Sharing the love.
