Hi guys I’ve just had chemo treatment no:13but my 1st AC treatment for the first four days I was flat an unwell and trouble moving my bowels.could feel myself improving more and more over the next 3 days but by day 8 was feeling really good but still not moving my bowels had been using Aculax and Coloxyl that night I had Severe back pain and a temp of 38 thinking it was bowel related I went to hospital and am still here 3 days later having intravenous antibiotics. Apparently blood test came back saying I had an infection and my Neutrophils went as low as 0.2 Dangerously low they are back up to 3.7 nowBut if my back and bowels weren’t playing up I wouldn’t have had a clue how at risk I was of Serious life threatening infection i still have 3 rounds of AC to go the next in 4 days and am worried I’ll end up in hospital again or at risk of becoming Seriously I’ll has anyone experienced Neutropenia and still managed to get through further treatments without it happening again? I want to make it through my treatment’s for obvious reasons

@2 MC Great to hear you have had round 2 today. Injection tomorrow I guess. Couple of things I was advised- time injection as dead on 24 hrs after you started the AC as you can. Rest as much as possible so the body can use its energy well and drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated and kidneys working top notch. Take your temperature regularly every day.I’m sending positive thoughts of happy little white cells growing fast! Lots of love Tinks xx

Hi @2MC Hope you are feeling better now that your neutrophil count has increased. Below is some information regarding infection during cancer treatment which you may find helpful. The injection that @ddon was referring to is called Neulasta/Pegfilgrastim. Take care of you,https://www.eviq.org.au/patients-and-carers/patient-information-sheets/3098-infection-during-cancer-treatment

Are you having the injections following AC to boost your bone marrow and increase your white cells and neutrophils? (Can’t remember the name) I had one 24 hours after each treatment which worked really well. Is your AC dose dense - every fortnight?

Welcome 2MC, I suffered with neutropenia during my dense dose AC.This is still very fresh in my mind, I finished all my treatment October last year.During that particular treatment of dense dose AC I was taking x2 Coloxyl with Senna every night, even if I was using my bowels ok. Drink 2-3 litres of fluids a day, try and do some short walks to help , there were times where I could hardly put one foot in front of the other and held onto walls to walk on my worst days.Keep a close eye on your mouth for ulcers, as it’s best to get on top of that sooner rather than later.I had several stays in hospital and had intravenous antibiotics, you are not alone it is more common than you think, I remember that myself and a few other ladies that had treatment around the same time all ended up in hospital around the same time with neutropenia.Your oncologist will keep a close eye on you and adjust treatments if necessary.After every treatment, take your temperature a few times a day around the same time, and if at all you feel unwell take it again. Get yourself of to emergency immediately if you get a temp of 38.After dense dose AC you will get into a routine of when your worst days will be usually for me around day 4-5 was my worst, then you will improve .Keep in close contact with your oncologist regarding your symptoms as they can adjust your medication to suit, or introduce new medication depending on your symptoms, I remember calling the 24/7 number many times and spoke to an Oncologist that was on duty with any concern, sometimes it was just putting my mind at ease.Whilst having your dose dense AC I would highly recommend that you keep an overnight bag packed for hospital and take it with you anytime you present yourself to emergency.Take one day at a time, and roll with the waves, unfortunately we can’t change it , but we can control how we deal with things.One thing I can tell you is you will get through this, just like I have and others and you will be looking back and sharing your story with someone else just like I am.Stay positive, YOU HAVE GOT THIS! You are a warrior.....Sending positive vibes, and sending virtual hugs xxAny questions don’t hesitate to ask.xx

Neutropenia | BCNA Online Network

25 Replies

Tinks
Member
6 years ago
well done ha! Good thinking! all ducks in a row!! Yes I could not inject myself either. Not my thing at all!!

Tinks xx
2MC
Member
6 years ago
@Tinks
after your last reply I drove to hubby’s work to get it done on time. All good! It gave me something to do. Can’t stand the thought of injecting myself
best wishes xx
Tinks
Member
6 years ago
Great! Yes I did wait once for my husband who was quite delayed and I got a great response anyway so it seems to allow some leeway :)

lots of love Tinks xx
2MC
Member
6 years ago
@Tinks
thank you I’m feeling not to bad
Unfortunately I have to wait a little longer for injection because i have to wait for husband to get home
not brave enough to do my own
hopefully it doesn’t cause any problems.
water and temperature on top of my list
Oncologist seems to think the 1st A/c is usually the hardest (hears hoping)

thanks again..sending love x
Tinks
Member
6 years ago
@2 MC Great to hear you have had round 2 today. Injection tomorrow I guess. Couple of things I was advised- time injection as dead on 24 hrs after you started the AC as you can. Rest as much as possible so the body can use its energy well and drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated and kidneys working top notch. Take your temperature regularly every day.

I’m sending positive thoughts of happy little white cells growing fast!

Lots of love Tinks xx
2MC
Member
6 years ago
@Riki_BCNA
Thank you I won’t
2nd of A/C today trying to stay positive
Riki_BCNA
Member
6 years ago
Hello @2MC don’t hesitate to call the helpline to speak to a cancer nurse on 1800 500 258 for support. Wishing you all the very best with your next chemo treatment.
Tinks
Member
6 years ago
@2MC, you are very welcome. One thing I learned is that chemo will not be put in a box! Neither does the body!

It was a question of taking each day as it came- nothing more and nothing less. Somehow the days pass and you move on...

lots of love Tinks xx
2MC
Member
6 years ago

Oh @Tinks that’s what I was hoping to hear
I was so worried that because I ended up in hospital this time I would definitely every time.
so maybe I could get through the next one ok.. I’m praying so anyway.
thank you for letting me know this. Even though it’s not a Guarantee your words give me hope
sometime it’s hard to get out of the negative mind frame alone.

sending love and thanks xx
2MC
Member
6 years ago
@Shellshocked2018_
thank you for the positive inspirational words
yes! I do think to far ahead sadly I missed my Psychology appointment because I was in hospital and have to wait another week now
its nice to have you lovely ladies to speak to
it certainly helps to feel less alone

sending big hugs x

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Neutropenia

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