Should I postpone chemo if I have bronchitis

Mandy1313

Hi all.

On December 23, I developed a fever (101.5) and bronchitis. Went to the onc and they put me on antibiotics even though the blood counts were OK.  Anyway, my fever is down but I am still coughing up a storm.....should I ask to postpone my December 30 chemo (CMF)  for a week?  I feel as if I will never recuperate if I have chemo in the middle of this illness.

Has anyone been in this situation?

Thanks.

Mandy

TenderIsOurMight

Hello Mandy,

Yours is a particularly difficult and reasonable question, without an obvious answer. Of course, it's your own physicians who must help you with the answer. The peak drop of your white count (reflecting your immune system function) is typically a week after the infusion. If you and your oncologist agree to proceed, use of Neupogen or the like may be beneficial to keep your white count up.

Not all bronchitis is bacterial of course, and that's where your doctor will evaluate the cough. Zithromycin family antibiotics also work against atypical bronchitis. Sometimes with active cough a chest xray is helpful to ensure no pneumonia.

Well, a few thoughts from my perspective. Only you and your doctor though are fully capable of decision on this untimely bronchitis. Good healing to you. Eat extra calories and try to sleep as much as you can to help your immune function help you.

Tender 

trk_koa

I had a bad cold and then bronchitis when I was getting Taxol & Herceptin. They postponed one week since I had a slight fever. The next week, I was still coughing, but my bloodwork was good and we went ahead with it.

I'd suggest to call ahead and let them know about the lingering cough/bronchitis. They might have you come in to check your blood work and examine you before making a decision.

I was actually bummed to have to postpone a week because I had already calculated my "freedom day" for when I would finish. I'd have rather been slapped down with the chemo even with bronchitis than have my treatments extended.

Mandy1313

Well I called the onc and they want to postpone the tx for a week. I had already been seen by the onocologist and they diagnosed the bronchitis, not me.  I think for me this is the right decision and I feel relieved to be able to get on my feet before the next tx.

Thanks to you who took the time to write.

Mandy