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KristyE's avatar
KristyE
Member
10 years ago

Febrile neutropenia

Just as I was starting to recover from my first round of TCH chemo, I started to feel ill while we were away camping with family in NSW (I'm from VIC). On our pack up day (day 10 post chemo), I was barely able to help & by the time I got in the car to leave my temp was 38 degrees. Informed my hubby that he'd need to take me to a hospital, of course that was 2 hours drive away in Newcastle! We had been planning to stay there one night anyway to catch up with friends & ended up dropping off the kids with them & heading to the Mater. (Excellent friends!). Within half an hour I was in the ED with IV antibiotics. Ended up spending 4 days there. Bit of an extended holiday for the family & a slight burden on the friends!

Spent my birthday in hospital & kept begging to be let out. However, one day the nurses didn't come near me for almost 7 hours. Come to find out they'd been dealing with the family of another lady who'd come in with febrile neutropenia & didn't make it. Certainly put things in perspective for me. I stopped whinging & went along with all recommendations.

So, now I've had the Neulasta injection 24 hours after my 2nd round of chemo. Hope this doesn't affect me anymore than the chemo already does. I've lost so much of my fitness over this short journey so far. 

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  • gurneys's avatar
    gurneys
    Member
    9 years ago
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    I found the effects of the Neulasta lasted approx five days or so. It's because it's forcing your body to make more white blood cells - so your bones and muscles all ache, just like the flu. But if your symptoms get any worse than that, be sure to tell your MO. But on the positive side, all my blood counts have been good so it's worth it.

    Good luck!

    x-S

  • suzieq's avatar
    suzieq
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    9 years ago
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    I think you might find it is the chemo itself.  For me it usually took a couple of days before chemo really made me sick then a couple of days of feeling well before chemo again and so it went....

  • KristyE's avatar
    KristyE
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    9 years ago
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    Thanks Suzie, I was coping ok with the chemo until the febrile neutropenia, but now this Neulasta injection has really floored me!

  • KristyE's avatar
    KristyE
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    9 years ago
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    I think you're right about the Neulasta.  I was able to go to work on the Monday after Chemo on Friday, but today I feel awful.  Wondering if I'll even be able to make it to work tomorrow.

  • suzieq's avatar
    suzieq
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    10 years ago
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    OMG, the fact you had the strength to go away camping after chemo is amazing.  I found chemo dibilitating - I was so weak and so so sick. On the days between treatments when I did feel well I used that time to recover and recharge and I still ended up in hospital with high temp and low blood count but it wasn't serious.  If I could have I would have stayed in hospital throughout chemo.  I was fed 3 times a day, I had lovely nurses fussing over me, I had friends and family popping in all the time and I didn't have to feed them.  It was all about me!  LOL

    I see you have children and I realise it can be very hard to give yourself the rest you need at this time.  Friends and family often ask how they can help or don't know how to help.  One of the absolute best things they can do is offer to take your children for a few hours here and there or at least cook for you and bring meals over.  Practical help is priceless. Try and get the "me" time you need.  

    I realise a lot of women seem to fly through chemo and do all sorts of amazing things like run marathons for heavens sake. But we are all different.  Don't worry about your fitness, you have the rest of your life to get back into shape.  

  • gurneys's avatar
    gurneys
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    10 years ago
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    I have the Neulasta after each round of chemo and it knocks you about a bit, almost like the flu. In fact, I'm not sure if the crappiness I feel after chemo is the chemo itself or the Neulasta. My MO seems to think most of my symptoms can be attributed to the Neulasta. But it's worth it to avoid the neutropenia.

    x-S

  • PaulaN's avatar
    PaulaN
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    10 years ago
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    Hi Kristye, apart from that I hope you had a good holiday. Bumma about spending your birthday in hospital. Paula XXX
  • iserbrown's avatar
    iserbrown
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    10 years ago
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    A reminder how fragile it can be when you learn someone didn't make it.

    Here's hoping the balance of treatment isn't as testing as this.

    I agree about the loss of fitness.  Fatigue sets in and it's surprising how being depleted of energy and fitness takes a toll.

    Wishing you better times. Take care Christine xx