Neutrophils

Thanks Airlie. Yes I am home. And please don't do what I did and wait a bit before heading off to hospital - if you get a temp of 38 or higher, don't delay get straight to an A and E. The reason why I hesitated is because I already knew my neutrophil count from a few days before and I was right at the end of my cycle. When I got there I got a stern talking to that I should have gone sooner. I had just had one of those weeks where I had had enough.    Be reassured if it happens to you, they will take very good care of you but act immediately.

Take care, Nadine

Hi Nadi. Just checking in to see how your going. Hope your home and feelin ok. Thinking of you. Airlie ??

Thanks Brenda.

Zero would be pretty scary. Two weeks must be the lowest. I am supposed to have chemo fortnightly. So I guess I will be having the injection. Hope your doing a little better and can get back to walking your dogs. X ?? 

You poor bugger Nadi. You are having a rough time. I hope it settles for you. ??  thank you for your message. Best wishes x. 

Thanks so much Linda. It is good to hear from ladies who have had the same experience. I know I am not alone. X ??  airlie

I've  been told I have blood test day 10 after 1st round...to prove  I need the neulasta. ...and everyone does...then you are automatically on it after that. I'd  be questioning why o count isn't proof. Kath

My chemo was every three weeks and I had neulasta injection every time. I had 6 chemo treatments in all and five of these I developed a fever with low neutrophils and ended up in hospital for about 3/4 days each time. I was put in isolation. As soon as you get a fever of 38 or over you must go to A&E straight away. If you have an infection it can rapidly spread through the body as you have nothing to fight it with. I only had one chemo treatment delayed which was good. I was keen to get on with it. (Sounds weird I know but the sooner it was over the better I thought).

we all worry, just like you. Glad you could reach out on here. ??

Wishing you well with the rest of your treatment,

Linda xx

Yep been there done that 3 times! First time had zero neutrophils, fever and spent 6 days in hospital. Second time 0.1 neutrophils. By the third hospital admission was an old hand at it. They only admit you if you have low neutrophils AND a fever. Don't worry. It's more common than you think. Just take it easy, wash your hands frequently, stay away from sick people and take your temperature regularly. If your temp gets to 38 go to the emergency room. They will take you in straight away, take blood and put you on antibiotics. It's only dangerous if you ignore the fever and don't get checked out.

Take care

Airlie, apparently they won't give you the neulasta injection after 1st round of chemo (here in Sydney anyway) unless  they see that you need it, like you said protocol.... my diagnosis was Invasive Ductal carcinoma 3cm, clear margins BUT 1SN positive (14 were taken out) also ER+ PR+ HER2-... Lumpoctomy and then 4 rounds of AC chemo which have finished, had CT scan all clear (yeahhhh!!) Anyway, offered me radiation for 6wks everyday but I opted for a prophylactic dual mastectomy, which now waiting to see PS, also now taking Arimidax every day for the next 10 yrs - hormone blocking treatment.. Chriss xx

Hi Airlie,

Just remember we are here for you.  So when you are feeling like this come and have a chat here x