Forum Discussion
2 steps fwd, 1 step back - the joys of neutropenia, reflux, internal bleeding and Vitamin D deficien
Hi ladies
I hope everyone had a nice christmas with family. I had a great, albeit quiet, day. It was day 8 of my first cycle of TCH. I thought I was going really well. No nausea, no real fatigue. Other side effects were pretty manageable. I cooked Christmas lunch for the family and it was a good day. Day 9 started out well, in fact I was boasting about how good I was feeling, then BAM!! Temp 38.6, chills, shivers, aches, pains and needless to say quick dash to hospital. Yep Neutropenic at 0.02 with severe reflux and internal bleeding! Joy.
The hospital staff didn't muck around. I was surprised at how fast they worked on me in emergency. X-rays, and pumped full of drugs for everything including increasing my platelets in order to avoid a transfusion. Antibiotics by IV every six hours. At midnight severe pain, tachycardia and another round of emergency blood tests and meds.
This morning, veins have collapsed. Why?? Been pricked that many times I feel like a pin cushion. Desperately need a a pic line put in but can't due to neutropenia. Sigh.
The nurses have been fantastic and I think I have now seen 8 doctors in 16 hours. The last one was an oncologist (not my treating oncologist). So lovely and understanding. But he told me that my Vit D levels were still low. I had been diagnosed with Vit D deficiency last year but my GP never told me about the link between Vit D and breast cancer. I have been on 2000 mg per day since August this year. This oncologist told me that low Vit D increases the risk of getting breast cancer but also increases the risk of breast cancer recurring. He immediately put me on 5000mg. I asked is there any risks to having too much Vit D and he said no and that he personally takes 3000mg per day. Is this link between Vit D and breast cancer common knowledge to everyone? Why didn't I know about this?
So bored in hospital... tv not working. Leaves me too much time to think. Still have my hair though. There's always a positive.....
Nadine
27 Replies
Thanks Lisa
in the searches I did there was also a suggested link between low vitamin d and depression... I thought it interesting as there was a study somewhere that suggested you were more likely to be happy if you lived in a sunny place.
i think many people who are sun smart have low vitamin d - I know I do .. How do you get the right balance that is the trick???
Hope you are doing better Nadine xxx
Thanks for the info Lisa
Thanks Lisa
I am glad that Cancer Council Australia is continuing to monitor studies examining Vitamin D deficiency and links to certain types of cancer. In the meantime, I will follow the advice of my doctor and continue to take a Vitamin D3 capsule to boost my levels.
Thanks for following this up.
Nadine
Hello all,
It’s Lisa from the policy team. I am sorry to hear about everything you went through during the Christmas period Nadine and hope that you are feeling much better.
I have had a look at some of the research discussing vitamin D and breast cancer:
The Cancer Council Australia’s iheard website contains the following information about vitamin D in relation to cancer: 'Recent studies have shown vitamin D may protect against certain cancers, but other studies have found no protective effect. There is no definitive evidence; Cancer Council Australia is monitoring research in this area in order to provide the best possible advice to Australians.'
The Westmead Breast Cancer Institute has also developed the booklet, Vitamin D and Breast Cancer. The booklet notes that, 'An insufficient level of vitamin D in the blood is thought to be involved in the development and progression of breast cancer. Research shows that women who have low vitamin D levels have a greater risk of developing breast cancer. In addition, women whose vitamin D levels are low at the time of their breast cancer diagnosis have been shown to have an increased risk of their cancer returning in the future.' Here is a link to the booklet in case you would like to have a look.It appears that some research suggests that vitamin D levels may impact women’s risk of breast cancer, but that more research is needed. If you are interested in finding out more about vitamin D, it would be best to talk to your doctor.
Warm regards,
LisaMy surgeon mentioned the vitamin D link to me as well as personally rang me a few weeks after to say to start taking Vitamin D.Have heard the link on vitamin D being related to a number of diseases/disorders but it was new to me too.
Hope you are now back on track.xx
Hi I was in for a couple of days, I was booked to see a show and missed out because of hospital stay. Was really impressed with my husband who always gets it wrong for presents got me tickets for the same show for christmas. You have a way to go try and rest
Hi Ladies,
I will have a chat with Lisa from our Policy team first thing Monday morning.
Ann-Marie x
My thoughts are with you. I had 5 days in hospital on IV intensely and then was allowed home with oral antibiotics for a number of weeks. It's wearing. Hope your count picks up.
Take care Christine xx
Thanks for the cuddle Tracey. Right back at you. Anne-Marie is looking into the Vitamin D information so may be other people will end up knowing to. It's interesting that they have this on the US breast cancer.org
Thnx Chriss. How long all up were you in hospital?
The link is really interesting. Maybe the Dr was onto something then. I am glad that Anne- Marie is looking into it.
