To chemo or not to chemo?

[Barmycharm]

Hi lovely ladies can you give me some advice please? I’m due to have my 5th Carbo/Taxol tomorrow. Last week we went away for a few days to Suffolk where we have a Lodge which is normally our safe peaceful haven, wanting to make the most of my good week with some lovely walks and eating out whilst food tastes reasonably pleasant!!!

However after 24 hours I ended up in A & E with stomach infection and suspected sepsis and spent 4 days in hospital. After several tests thank goodness it was only the stomach infection but I was really poorly and had IV ABs and fluids.

Had my bloods at my normal hospital yesterday and they came back neutrophils 1.4 ( they were 0.3 last week) and HB 10. 4. My oncology and specialist nurse have discussed and said they will go ahead with chemo so long as my temperature isn’t up and I’m not out of breath. However I’ve been very lethargic and low since I came home but this morning also slightly snuffly and breathy. I don’t really want to delay but also don’t want to end up in hospital again?! Really can’t decide which is best. Typically this time my face to face meet with oncologist is actually tomorrow morning before chemo is due at 12 so I’m also left with dilemma of taking my steroids tonight and then not having chemo tomorrow?!

Any advice from your own experiences or vast knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

Love and Hugs to all of you on here, always thinking of you all and the many struggles being fought everyday

Claire xxx

[Coldethyl]

Do they do your bloods before the chemo ? 1.4 is the cutoff that my oncology team used but I always had to have bloods done again when it was that in case they had gone lower over the weekend ( I’d bliss Friday chemo Monday) so maybe you need to either get them done today if you can at unit or in morning - maybe ring the unit and discuss how you feel and the steroids issue - I’d imagine they would want to check you over if you are feeling breathless x

[Barmycharm in reply to Coldethyl]

Thanks for your reply. My bloods were done yesterday which were the pre chemo ones and it was the ONC that phoned yesterday afternoon to say she’d discussed with oncologist and would go ahead if ultimately I felt ok with no temperature 😬 I’m not good at best of times making a decision lol

Xxx

[BeeWild]

So sorry you had to end up in hospital on your holiday x I’d speak to your CNS and find out what’s best for you x

Facing the same dilemma I’m due my last cistplatin and Gem on Friday but before chemo last week my HB had dropped

To 96 (cut off is 90 for transfusion) so I’m keeping everything crossed it’s not dropped too low and my last chemo isn’t cancelled! I’ve been feeling yummy this week so not sure it will go ahead 😞

Good luck with yours and let us know how you get on x

Hugs

Bev x

[Barmycharm in reply to BeeWild]

It’s all hard enough isn’t it without further complications?!!

Good luck with yours too, see you on the other side?!! 😘

Xxx

[Katmal-UK]

Hi Claire

I've had chemo delayed by a week on a couple of occasions because I just didn't feel right, was getting over a cold etc, if you are asking would I delay having been through what you have then the answer is yes, a week is not going to hurt. Hope you make the decision that is right for you xx Kathy xx

[Barmycharm in reply to Katmal-UK]

Thank you Kathy, I guess I just want to get it over with but obviously not if it’s going to cause more problems. Thank you so much for your reply xxx

[Flamingobeef18]

I agree with Kathy.

I have had many chemos delayed or postponed for infections, holidays and even because my chemo infusion had expired and it has never been a big deal.

I know what you mean about wanting to get it over with but you are obviously not completely happy with proceeding just yet and you do have to be in the right place physically and mentally for chemo.

My advice would be to be kind to yourself. Let them know you are not feeling brilliant and would rather delay for a week to give yourself more time to recover.

Love Juliax

[Barmycharm in reply to Flamingobeef18]

Thanks Julia. I think you are both correct, I guess the fact I’m questioning it is giving me my answer?! Xxx

[Litchick]

Dear Barmycharm, It sounds to me as if you are not entirely comfortable with going ahead with the chemo because you’re not quite feeling right. I am inclined to say go with your instinct to delay it.

In my experience a delay does not make a difference in the outcome. I had to delay one if mine for two weeks when my liver decided for unexplained reasons to mis behave itself but then righted itself. ( many scans etc showed nothing , no inflammation, no cancer gremlins on it - nada). I was NED at the end of the course.

It is difficult making decisions when you are not feeling good and this flippin disease messes with your head too. So whatever you decide know we are all rooting for you and wishing the best for you.

xx

[Barmycharm in reply to Litchick]

Thank you for your reply. Everyone tells me I’m very hard on myself so I guess it’s true I need to be kind and gentle to myself and have some more time to recover from last week before the next onslaught?!

Xxx