Re febrile neutropenia ... round two
I had to go into hospital after I developed a high temp (39.9) after chemo 3 .... right at the end of the 3 week cycle. I was on FEC for the first 3 chemos and until then had felt really on top of things after my steroid dose was reduced to just 8mg with the subsequent 2 chemos. The steroids give me agitated depression .... which I have a history of. After 7 days in hospital I was discharged...no bacteria or virus apparent. After chemo 4 I started on a new round of three treatments (my last ones). Docetaxil sp? and Herceptin. I was only okay for a week and had to go back to hospital with a temp of 39.1 for 6 days. Neutropenia again, though this time they heard a crackle in my lungs and was diagnosed with pneumonia, even tho chest xrays were okay. 24 hours after chemo 4 I self injected the med that is supposed to help prevent you from developing neutropenia. I experienced bad leg/knee pain but this could also be the Docetaxil. The Drs said without the injection I would have been worse.
On chemo 3 after being in hospital I was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in my left calf and a pulmonary embolism in my right lung. Then came chemo 4 and the pneumonia, which honestly I hardly felt. I had been complaining about leg cramps and chest pain and a cough since commencing chemo ... for 9 weeks but it was ascribed to the chemo. It wasn't till hospitalisation at a different closer hospital that they found the blood clots. So please make a louder noise than I did about side effects. As a result I have to inject my tummy with Fragmen, an anticoagulant for the next 6 months. I will inject my herceptin into my leg as my veins are sick of coping.
I guess I am now in a place where I went from being on a high, eating well, exercising, meditating ... to feeling scared of my next two chemos. Only two to go but what if???? The chemo seems to be slowly breaking me down, if not physically then psychologically. My first stay in hospital was okay and novel but exhausting. My family didn't visit as scared of catching something. Same as second stay where I found myself just wanting to go home. Pastoral care and the social workers were good. Now I have read that radiation can also cause neutropenia ... I have if after a 4 week break after chemo 6. For 3-6 weeks.
I am also in constant pain under my left arm pit from the total axillary clearance scar. The Dr prescribed a small dose of Lyrica for neuropathy.
So I am wondering how everyone copes with these set backs and any ideas you may have...in a bit of a hole after feeling really well. I just hate the thought of going into hospital again despite it being very comfy...I am so tired and just can't see the finish line if radiation is going to cause neutropenia too. Sorry to be 'poor me' when I know a lot of people are struggling. xxx
On chemo 3 after being in hospital I was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in my left calf and a pulmonary embolism in my right lung. Then came chemo 4 and the pneumonia, which honestly I hardly felt. I had been complaining about leg cramps and chest pain and a cough since commencing chemo ... for 9 weeks but it was ascribed to the chemo. It wasn't till hospitalisation at a different closer hospital that they found the blood clots. So please make a louder noise than I did about side effects. As a result I have to inject my tummy with Fragmen, an anticoagulant for the next 6 months. I will inject my herceptin into my leg as my veins are sick of coping.
I guess I am now in a place where I went from being on a high, eating well, exercising, meditating ... to feeling scared of my next two chemos. Only two to go but what if???? The chemo seems to be slowly breaking me down, if not physically then psychologically. My first stay in hospital was okay and novel but exhausting. My family didn't visit as scared of catching something. Same as second stay where I found myself just wanting to go home. Pastoral care and the social workers were good. Now I have read that radiation can also cause neutropenia ... I have if after a 4 week break after chemo 6. For 3-6 weeks.
I am also in constant pain under my left arm pit from the total axillary clearance scar. The Dr prescribed a small dose of Lyrica for neuropathy.
So I am wondering how everyone copes with these set backs and any ideas you may have...in a bit of a hole after feeling really well. I just hate the thought of going into hospital again despite it being very comfy...I am so tired and just can't see the finish line if radiation is going to cause neutropenia too. Sorry to be 'poor me' when I know a lot of people are struggling. xxx
