I'm at the low point of my white blood cell count in my chemo cycle, and I think I might have an infection. My temperature for the past hour (since I started taking it) has ranged up to 101, and I have chills, and I've had intense back pains since this afternoon. It took a half hour for the oncologist on call to call me back, which seemed like eternity. She told me to come in and get checked out at the emergency room, so I'm waiting for my sister-in-law to get here so I can get a ride. I hope I don't have to get admitted. I hope it's nothing serious, but this is all new to me. I'm scared.
Updated to add: I'm home. I'm fine. No infection, anyway. My blood tests, urine test and chest x-ray checked out fine (my white blood cell count was even surprisingly high "for someone on chemo"); so three and a half hours and a bit of saline IV drip later, they sent me home with no further treatment — just instructions to call my clinic in the morning for follow-up.
about me
I'm Emilie, a writer and mother to two young boys, married to my best friend and living in St. Paul, Minnesota. I was diagnosed with a soft-tissue sarcoma in August 2007, while pregnant with our youngest son. Cancer sucks. But we are trying to live life to the fullest in spite of it.
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23 comments:
It's totally ok to be scared, think positive and happy thoughts (though I'm sure it's not easy to do). Know that there are a lot of us out here wishing you (and your guys) well and praying for everything to work out for the best ... Thinking of and praying for you tonight!
Heather H
Em, I'm sorry to hear that this is happening. I hope your trip to the ER goes as well as possible. I'll say a prayer for you...
Right now it's just a fever, and you're right to have it checked out. Call if you need a ride. I can be there in 10 minutes.
--Laura S.
I'm so sorry. It is natural to feel scared, and just know that you are doing the right thing. I'm praying that this fever is just "routine", and that it clears up fast.
I hope the ER trip goes quickly and that they can help you out.
I learned with my kidney stones that they get you in really fast if you are moaning loudly and not putting words together coherently. (Just in case you want to push them along a little.)
I'd be scared, too. No, I'd be terrified. I wish I could give you (((hugs))) in person. I'll be saying an extra prayer for you tonight.
I hope everything is ok. Thinking about you...
Oh honey, I am praying for you.
((HUGS))
Moosh
Praying that it is nothing serious! You are in our thoughts tonight!
Thinking of you tonight and sending positive energy your way.
Hi Emilie, you did a very good thing to call and check on this! Believe it or not, some people wait until they are really ill. I hate to say it, but after watching so many people come in and out of our group on major chemo for sarcoma, I have gotten used to reading about the trips to the hospital, infections, infusions, etc. between treatments. The good thing about that is that what you're experiencing should be "par for the course." Whether you need fluids, antibiotics, or transfusions, it all feels so incredibly scary for us, but the doctors are used to stabilizing patients during these "low swings." I am hoping that is all they need to do, and that you'll be feeling much better soon.
I am so sorry that you're going through all of these scary moments.
Im glad to hear you dont have an infection. Praying it stays that way.
I am glad that you went into the doctor and got yourself checked. I hope the saline drip made you feel better. We continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Jennifer V.
Thanks for the update. :)
Go white blood cells!!!
Everything that is happeninf is scary and it is ok to feel that way. I am glad it was nothing serious. Hang in there...I think about you almost everyday.
Oh, whew! Glad you updated, and I'm glad you're OK. Hope you can get some rest today to ward off all the evil infections/cells/spirits! And if you ever need a ride, I'm nearby too. :)
Phew. And Mary, thanks for posting this is fairly common with the folks in your group.
--Laura S.
I think it's totally normal to have been scared about that. I'm glad you went in and were checked out; I hope you are feeling better now that you have more fluids and the reassurance that you don't have an infection.
I'm so glad to read your update. This is all so new and I can imagine everything that happens is going to cause you to wonder, and I'm so sorry for that.
What a relief! I hope you are felling better as well. One of my friends with breast cancer told me that going to the ER is ALWAYS the right thing to do when you have a fever, just to be safe. I'm so happy that there is no infection. Hurray for the "high" white count!
I'm so glad there is no infection! I hope the drip helped you feel better too. And you can always feel free to call if you ever need a ride!
Glad to hear you don't have an infection... Hope you're feeling better quickly.
oh thank goodness you're ok...I'm sorry I'm late to read, but I am thinking of you.
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