So afraid of 2nd A/C - making myself ill

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Had my first A/C on 4/30 and did as well as can be expected.  No terrible side effects, just felt crappy.  Had Neulasta shot day after chemo and took the Claritan and aleve day of and two days after, so bone aches were minimal.  Prior to first TX, all blood work was excellent and have nothing else besides the breast cancer. (ha - like that's not enough!). Work full time and after taking first day of chemo off, went to work - just tired.  One week later - labs showed I was neutropenic, developed fever that night, broke during night, but developed cellulitis in surgical breast and was hospitalized for 4 days.  Had vancomycin and serapeem for 4 days iv, released to have 10 iv infusions of Cubicin daily each a.m. prior to work.  Cellulitis has cleared up and BS and Infect. Dis. doc have cleared me to have my 2nd A/C this coming Thursday.  It was delayed by 2 wks. because of all this.  I am totally petrified that this same thing will happen again.  I dread this 2nd chemo with all my heart and soul, so much so that I am making myself sick about it.  What can I do?  No doctor can assure me this will not happen again, they just hope no infection sets back in.  I had the batwing procedure lumpectomy and a re-excision was done on 4/8, so it has been slow healing.  Breast does look the best it has looked right now since the excision.  Any advice will be most appreciated.

Linda 

Comments

  • Debonthelake
    Debonthelake Member Posts: 244
    edited May 2009

    So sorry to hear that you had such a rough time.  Is there any way you can take more time off from work?  Working the same week you have the treatment sounds like a lot to me.  I was able to take the first week off and rest.  And boy did I need it.  I guess there are no guarantees.  I will keep you in my prayers.  God be with you.

  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited May 2009

    Thanks, Deb - I appreciate your kindness.  I have already taken so much time, since the biopsy, all the testing, the lumpectomy (took 3 days off), then the rexecision (took another 3 days off), day of port placement, took the first day of chemo off and then off course, the time in the hospital for the neutropenia and then countless half days off for dang doctors appts.  They are wonderful at work, but not knowing what lies ahead, I want to use the time judiciously.  Will let you know how I make out.

    Linda 

  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited May 2009

    Remember that your experience, although not unheard of, is unusual. Most women don't have all those complications. But now you have.

    Would you feel better if you reviewed all your proactive measures with your chemo nurse? Could be you are more vunerable than most to these complications and a re-run of all the "right" things to do might help you feel more in control.

    It sounds like your surgical incisions are better, so hopefully you'll do better this round.

  • sahalie
    sahalie Member Posts: 2,147
    edited May 2009

    Linda.  I hope your second chemo treatment goes smooth for you.  I too had a very rough time of it with my chemo treatments and was scared.  Mine was the bone pain and not being able to sleep.  It was a bad time.  I wound up in the ER due to the pain and no amount of pain meds helped me.  We all have different reactions to our treatments.  The one thing that truly helped me was reading all the women here going thru the very same thing and also reading all the different reactions.  The one thread that tied it all together was the incredible amount of HOPE that so many woman shared. 

    Here is to smooth sailing thru the next treatment. 

    XOXO.  Sahalie

  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 1,409
    edited May 2009

    Linda: Sorry to hear that you have some pretty nasty SE's from AC. I just finished # 3 AC and overall I have faired pretty well. The biggest thing for me is the fatigue....a little worse each time so getting lots of rest is so important.

    My Onc insisted I take a leave of absence from work until I am done with treatment. Low White blood counts are very common with AC therefore the risk of infection is high. Too many germs at work from phones, keyboards and people in general. I have been housebound but manage to  get out for daily walks. If I go to the grocery store, I go early in the day when there are few people around. My onc said no eating salads/veggies in restaurarnts because they usually aren't washed properly and again the risk of picking up bacteria is high. I have limited the number of visitors and when someone drops by they get hand sanitizer at the front door. I felt a little bad asking people to do this at first but I figure if I have to go through this chemo crap, I am going to try to protect myself as much as possible.

    Being home alot has not been a picnic but I think it has reduced my risk of infection. I realize that not everyone can make this choice so if it's not an option then make your workplace as clean as possible and remember to rest as much as you can.

    Lots of people find their first treatment to be the hardest so take heart and try not to be too freaked about about the next one.

    best wishes

    Beth P 

  • Gramof3
    Gramof3 Member Posts: 301
    edited May 2009

    Linda,  I just sent you a PM.  Helen

  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited May 2009

    Thank you so much to all you wonderful ladies.  I guess I just have to go with the flow and see where it takes me.  I will let you know how I fare!  Again, much thanks for the added support, I need it.

    Linda

  • chiquita
    chiquita Member Posts: 135
    edited May 2009

    I had all SE in the book and still have some after finishing chemo...but taking rest as much as possible did help a lot..God Bless you and please take lots of rest....drink lots of water...be good to your self....

  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited May 2009

    Thanks, Chiquita - I MUST work (am a widow also raising my 13 yr. old granddaughter), but will rest as much as I can.  Hopefully, not in the hospital!

    Linda

  • sahalie
    sahalie Member Posts: 2,147
    edited May 2009

    Linda.  Just checking in on you.  How are you doing?  I know it's rough.  One tough journey isn't it.  Please rest.   Your granddaughter is the age where she can help you after school. 

    She would probably love helping you.

    How is your eating and are you able to keep plenty of liquids to stay hydrated.  Grape juice was the only thing I could drink.  Good old Welches grape juice.  Popsicles were great too.

    Rest.  We are all thinking of you.

    XOXO

    Sahalie

  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited May 2009

    Thanks Sahalie - I am off in the a.m. for the 2nd chemo.  Have decided not to even try to get to work after it - will just rest up and suck on ice pops!  For some reason, my last chemo, every time I tried to drink something, it tasted terrible and made me queasy, so I will attempt the ice pops this time around.  Thanks for the tip.  It's the blood labs at the end of the week that I dread, but they have given me an antibiotic to take beginning my second day after chemo (for 14 days) in the hope of warding off any type of infections.  Will keep you posted and wishing all good things for you.

    Linda 

  • Alpal
    Alpal Member Posts: 1,785
    edited May 2009

    Linda - thinking about you today and keeping all my fingers and toes crossed that you make it through today and all the upcoming week with nothing but normal side effects! Please be sure to keep us posted.

  • sahalie
    sahalie Member Posts: 2,147
    edited May 2009

    Linda.  I'll be thinking of you today knowing it's your day of treatment.

    I hope the ice pops work great for you.  I went thru the same with drinks especially water.  Yuck.

    It was so hard drinking water and yet we are told to drink tons of it during treatment.

    I hope you are able to get plenty of rest today.  Good idea to stay home and rest.

    I also get nervous at each Lab week.  Mine is coming up. 

    Thinking of all the ladies here today also going thru treatments and wishing you each a smooth day and lot's of rest. 

    XOXO

  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited June 2009

    Well, I'm still alive.  I made it through the 2nd A/C - now just waiting for the one -week labs.  Thanks for all the support you wonderful gals have given me.  It's amazing how you are all right there to hold one of us up when needed!

    Hugs to all,

    Linda

  • Debonthelake
    Debonthelake Member Posts: 244
    edited June 2009

    Yeah,

    Hang in there we'll be praying for you.

  • Meggy
    Meggy Member Posts: 530
    edited June 2009

    It will be OK sister.  Remember A/C is a magical allixer that runs around killing cancer.  It is such a life saver.  Try to focus on that.  Get lots of sleep.  Eat heartily.  Be sure they let you take enough anti-nausea meds so that you can eat and stay hydrated and sleep sleep sleep.  My Onc. let me take Zofren every 8 hours around the clock and Ativan every 6 hours around the clock...also Emend on the first 3 days.  Those drugs kept me from feeling sick and I ate like a very healthy person.  You really need to keep the food, fluids and sleep going. I pray you will be fine.  You are further out from surgery now. 

  • sahalie
    sahalie Member Posts: 2,147
    edited June 2009

    Hi Linda.  I'm so relieved to hear the upbeat sound in your post.  Way to go on kicking the second treatment!  I've been out of town this past week so am checking in and share with you that it was the Emend that kept me from getting sick.  I still coulndn't eat much or drink anything except juice but at least the Emend did it's job.

    The A/C is doing it's job and so are you.  Hugs to you each day OK!  XOXO

    (Did I tell you I was almost the exact dx as you.  Stage 1. grade 2.  Triple Neg. )

    More hugs.

    XOXO. 

  • kfinnigan
    kfinnigan Member Posts: 1,729
    edited June 2009

    Hi Linda, you're doing a good job!!  Keep hanging in there!  We are praying for gentle healing for you!  Keep us posted.

    Hugs, Kari 

  • Alpal
    Alpal Member Posts: 1,785
    edited June 2009

    Linda - did you get your labs done yesterday??? Please check in and let us know!

  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited June 2009

    Hello to all my dear, wonderful sisters - Thank you all so very, very much for your kindness and concern.  You have all helped me greatly.  Had labs this a.m. and once again, I am neutropenic, however, no fever (will continue on antibiotics for the 2 remaining A/C's) or infection, so onc was really happy with that.  My labs were double what they were after the first chemo and she expects them to be normal next Thursday when she will do labs again, and, if normal, then my 3rd chemo on that day, if not, will have to wait until following Thursday (3 wks.).  I am still allowed to work, just would prefer I avoid anyone sick over the weekend and large crowds (duh!), but otherwise, no restrictions other than no salads or fruits that don't have a shell, peel, etc.  So much thanks to all, I am feeling fine and attitude much, much better. I too am on all the meds you all are, Emend, Compazine, Zofran, Prilosec, so have all those bases covered.  Love to you all.

    Linda

  • Alpal
    Alpal Member Posts: 1,785
    edited June 2009

    Whew1 So glad you're ok. Your dietary restrictions sound like what they tell everyone before going to Mexico. So, maybe you can just imagine that you're sitting on a beautiful beach sipping lucious fruity drinks! Stay well.

  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited June 2009

    Hey Allison - I never looked at it that way - Good deal!  How is everything going with you, I hope all is well.  Have a great weekend while I sip my cocopocoloco!

    Hugs,

    Linda

  • sahalie
    sahalie Member Posts: 2,147
    edited July 2009

    Linda.  I popped back by to check on you and am so pleased to know all is going smoothly.  Please update and know you are thought about with positives and thoughts and prayers.

    XOXO.  Sahalie

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