Halfway!

deanna14
deanna14 Member Posts: 732
I was able to take my 3rd chemo treatment today... 3 more to go. My white count doubled this time to 6.1 before treatment. Everything else was good except my hgb dropped from 11 something to 10.5. Not so bad considering, but I think I need to spend the next 3 weeks eating something that will help me build that back up. I hope and pray that I don't have to postpone any treatments.
I hope this finds everyone feeling as well as can be expected.
Peggy, how is Garth? Any new developments? Hang in there and take good care of him.

Praying for you all!

Deanna

Comments

  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980
    Woo woo! Half way! & your counts are still good!
    10.5 is still pretty good for hemoglobin,... not where it should be but not scary low. By this time next week, though, it will probably drop even lower. Please be careful and hold the stair rail, and stand up slowly every time you rise. And if you feel light-headed, you may not want to drive for your 'nadir' week, as your red count may really drop then. If you do get the racing heart or anything that is scary at all, call it in as they may want you to have a blood transfusion between chemos to keep you safe. Have you had a racing heart, or shortness of breath? Do you hear whirring when you drop your head lower than your heart? Or feel faint when you stand up or at the top of a flight of stairs? Any of those things warrant a call to the clinic. They may not do anything, and I have those kinds of symptoms all the time now. But I was told to call if I was worried and come in for mid-treatment bloodwork and a possible transfusion.

    Did they do a detailed blood analysis? You could call your chemo nurse and have her look at your iron in case it is that. See if she thinks you might need to take Slow-FE, which you can buy without a prescription. But if your iron isn't what is making your hemoglobin drop, then that won't help. A nice spinach salad each day is another yummy option. I really hope you don't need to start taking extra weeks like I have to. You are younger and have been so strong so far. You are getting so close to being done!! Are you starting to see the end in sight? Exciting! I'm so happy for you, Deanna!
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    Congratulations on Being Half Way Finished with Chemo
    Deanna I am so glad you were able to get your 3rd chemo treatment. I am glad your blood count held up for you. I hope you continue to feel okay after your treatment. As usual Linda has some very good pointers to keep you safe. Take care.
  • deanna14
    deanna14 Member Posts: 732

    Woo woo! Half way! & your counts are still good!
    10.5 is still pretty good for hemoglobin,... not where it should be but not scary low. By this time next week, though, it will probably drop even lower. Please be careful and hold the stair rail, and stand up slowly every time you rise. And if you feel light-headed, you may not want to drive for your 'nadir' week, as your red count may really drop then. If you do get the racing heart or anything that is scary at all, call it in as they may want you to have a blood transfusion between chemos to keep you safe. Have you had a racing heart, or shortness of breath? Do you hear whirring when you drop your head lower than your heart? Or feel faint when you stand up or at the top of a flight of stairs? Any of those things warrant a call to the clinic. They may not do anything, and I have those kinds of symptoms all the time now. But I was told to call if I was worried and come in for mid-treatment bloodwork and a possible transfusion.

    Did they do a detailed blood analysis? You could call your chemo nurse and have her look at your iron in case it is that. See if she thinks you might need to take Slow-FE, which you can buy without a prescription. But if your iron isn't what is making your hemoglobin drop, then that won't help. A nice spinach salad each day is another yummy option. I really hope you don't need to start taking extra weeks like I have to. You are younger and have been so strong so far. You are getting so close to being done!! Are you starting to see the end in sight? Exciting! I'm so happy for you, Deanna!

    Low Hgb
    I have been have been getting a little winded with activity and I talked to the nurse practitioner about it. She said to just keep and eye on it and if it gets worse or greatly interferes with my activity to let them know. I usually don't get to know all of my lab results. They take the blood from my port, I see the doctor, then they send me to the cancer center located across the street. I usually ask the chemo nurses, but they only get the hgb, bun, creatinine, platelet and WBC results.
    Thanks Linda for the tips, if I get to feeling too bad next week, I will call them back. They have been very good about me calling and asking questions and making suggestions in regards to my care.
    So far, I have been having the fast heartrate and a bit of roaring in my ears when bending over, like when I tie my shoes or pick something up off the floor. I have been so so sleepy, but of course it is almost midnight and I can't sleep (steroids)! This too will pass.
    I hope I don't have to take the extra weeks, I am trying to eat a lot of green leafies and a bit more red meat than normal. I would take a transfusion right now if it would give me some energy!
    Won't be long, and we will be done with treatment. Yahoo!
    Thanks ladies for the encouragement.
    Love, hugs and blessings to all.
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    deanna14 said:

    Low Hgb
    I have been have been getting a little winded with activity and I talked to the nurse practitioner about it. She said to just keep and eye on it and if it gets worse or greatly interferes with my activity to let them know. I usually don't get to know all of my lab results. They take the blood from my port, I see the doctor, then they send me to the cancer center located across the street. I usually ask the chemo nurses, but they only get the hgb, bun, creatinine, platelet and WBC results.
    Thanks Linda for the tips, if I get to feeling too bad next week, I will call them back. They have been very good about me calling and asking questions and making suggestions in regards to my care.
    So far, I have been having the fast heartrate and a bit of roaring in my ears when bending over, like when I tie my shoes or pick something up off the floor. I have been so so sleepy, but of course it is almost midnight and I can't sleep (steroids)! This too will pass.
    I hope I don't have to take the extra weeks, I am trying to eat a lot of green leafies and a bit more red meat than normal. I would take a transfusion right now if it would give me some energy!
    Won't be long, and we will be done with treatment. Yahoo!
    Thanks ladies for the encouragement.
    Love, hugs and blessings to all.

    Deanna Ask for a copy of your lab results
    I always ask for a copy of my lab results either from the doctor or at the infusion center. They have always given it to me. They told me to get a copy of the CA 125 from the infusion center that the doctor had to write that it was okay to give it to me. My doctor wrote the order with no problem. That way I can look at the labs at home and compare numbers. I know you know how to interpret the numbers, but if you don't understand something the nurses can usually explain it. Hope you are feeling a little stronger, and have been able to get some sleep. Just remember you are half way through. I'll be glad when I can say that too. Continue to take care of yourself. HUGS.
  • shortmarge
    shortmarge Member Posts: 291
    Ro10 said:

    Congratulations on Being Half Way Finished with Chemo
    Deanna I am so glad you were able to get your 3rd chemo treatment. I am glad your blood count held up for you. I hope you continue to feel okay after your treatment. As usual Linda has some very good pointers to keep you safe. Take care.

    Yeah For Halfway
    Deanna, I am so glad you are half way through Chemo. Keeping you in my prayers...

    MIND, BODY AND SOUL!

    Hugs
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member

    Yeah For Halfway
    Deanna, I am so glad you are half way through Chemo. Keeping you in my prayers...

    MIND, BODY AND SOUL!

    Hugs

    I too am halfway through chemo
    I had my 3rd chemo treatment today, and it thankfully was a day without any reactions. Yesterday I had my BP pill (which also controls the heart rate) increased, and I think that helped me not have a reaction. They also ran the Taxol over 5 hours (instead of 2 hours) and the Carboplatin over 2 hours (rather than 1 hour) so with the hour pre chemo treatment and another pre chemo before the Carbo...... it makes for a very long day. But it is worth all the extra time if there is not reaction. Now I will just have to see what happens when I take my post chemo nausea pills which include steroids twice a day for three days.

    I also got good news that my CA125 went down from 427 to 127. That made me very happy that it is getting closer to normal. The normal where I go is less than 35. I hope this chemo treatment lowers it even more.

    I am so lucky to have such a supportive husband who patiently waits and watches me while I get my treatments. He is always so willing to go to appointments. Of course we are both so hopeful of successful treatment.

    I will take a rest period and then start my radiation treatments back in Illinois. So many people say the radiation treatments are easier than chemo, so I guess I will find out. I don;t think the diarrhea sounds very pleasant, but I know you can take something for it.

    Deanna hope you are feeling better. Linda hope you can get your chemo treatment on time, but if you have to wait another week, you will have another treatment completed. Glad you got to pick up the grandkids from school. Sound like such fun. Marge sorry to hear about your neuropathy. Doug I hope your sister is feeling better, too. Peggy I hope you husband does well with surgery and you get answers to some of your questions. Teresa hope you are doing okay with your radiation. Did you find out if you will really have to be in the hospital for three days? Sharon hope you are feeling well, too, and your swelling and neuropathy are improving, too. Daisy good luck with your insurance battles. That certainly puts more anxiety in your life, which of course you do not need. You all remain in my prayers.
  • deanna14
    deanna14 Member Posts: 732
    Ro10 said:

    I too am halfway through chemo
    I had my 3rd chemo treatment today, and it thankfully was a day without any reactions. Yesterday I had my BP pill (which also controls the heart rate) increased, and I think that helped me not have a reaction. They also ran the Taxol over 5 hours (instead of 2 hours) and the Carboplatin over 2 hours (rather than 1 hour) so with the hour pre chemo treatment and another pre chemo before the Carbo...... it makes for a very long day. But it is worth all the extra time if there is not reaction. Now I will just have to see what happens when I take my post chemo nausea pills which include steroids twice a day for three days.

    I also got good news that my CA125 went down from 427 to 127. That made me very happy that it is getting closer to normal. The normal where I go is less than 35. I hope this chemo treatment lowers it even more.

    I am so lucky to have such a supportive husband who patiently waits and watches me while I get my treatments. He is always so willing to go to appointments. Of course we are both so hopeful of successful treatment.

    I will take a rest period and then start my radiation treatments back in Illinois. So many people say the radiation treatments are easier than chemo, so I guess I will find out. I don;t think the diarrhea sounds very pleasant, but I know you can take something for it.

    Deanna hope you are feeling better. Linda hope you can get your chemo treatment on time, but if you have to wait another week, you will have another treatment completed. Glad you got to pick up the grandkids from school. Sound like such fun. Marge sorry to hear about your neuropathy. Doug I hope your sister is feeling better, too. Peggy I hope you husband does well with surgery and you get answers to some of your questions. Teresa hope you are doing okay with your radiation. Did you find out if you will really have to be in the hospital for three days? Sharon hope you are feeling well, too, and your swelling and neuropathy are improving, too. Daisy good luck with your insurance battles. That certainly puts more anxiety in your life, which of course you do not need. You all remain in my prayers.

    Congrats Ro
    Congratulations on completing the first leg of your treatment. So happy to hear that your CA 125 is dropping, a good sign the cancer is responding to the chemo. Enjoy your break between treatments. Radiation should be more tolerable than chemo, but keep the immodium handy. I took it with me everywhere, "just in cast." I didn't have a hard time, I just watched what I ate. For once doctors will probably be telling you to eat a low fiber diet. I did get tired in the afternoons after my treatments. Good luck with the radiation and remainder of your chemo.

    Hugs to all...
    Deanna
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    Ro10 said:

    I too am halfway through chemo
    I had my 3rd chemo treatment today, and it thankfully was a day without any reactions. Yesterday I had my BP pill (which also controls the heart rate) increased, and I think that helped me not have a reaction. They also ran the Taxol over 5 hours (instead of 2 hours) and the Carboplatin over 2 hours (rather than 1 hour) so with the hour pre chemo treatment and another pre chemo before the Carbo...... it makes for a very long day. But it is worth all the extra time if there is not reaction. Now I will just have to see what happens when I take my post chemo nausea pills which include steroids twice a day for three days.

    I also got good news that my CA125 went down from 427 to 127. That made me very happy that it is getting closer to normal. The normal where I go is less than 35. I hope this chemo treatment lowers it even more.

    I am so lucky to have such a supportive husband who patiently waits and watches me while I get my treatments. He is always so willing to go to appointments. Of course we are both so hopeful of successful treatment.

    I will take a rest period and then start my radiation treatments back in Illinois. So many people say the radiation treatments are easier than chemo, so I guess I will find out. I don;t think the diarrhea sounds very pleasant, but I know you can take something for it.

    Deanna hope you are feeling better. Linda hope you can get your chemo treatment on time, but if you have to wait another week, you will have another treatment completed. Glad you got to pick up the grandkids from school. Sound like such fun. Marge sorry to hear about your neuropathy. Doug I hope your sister is feeling better, too. Peggy I hope you husband does well with surgery and you get answers to some of your questions. Teresa hope you are doing okay with your radiation. Did you find out if you will really have to be in the hospital for three days? Sharon hope you are feeling well, too, and your swelling and neuropathy are improving, too. Daisy good luck with your insurance battles. That certainly puts more anxiety in your life, which of course you do not need. You all remain in my prayers.

    progress
    Hi all,

    Congrats to Ro - halfway there. It looks like your CA 125 is dropping nicely - a great sign.

    Thanks for your good wishes. It really helps to have this forum as a sounding board.

    I wish you all a wonderful weekend and peace to all.

    Mary Ann (aka Daisy)
  • fuzzytrouble
    fuzzytrouble Member Posts: 212
    Ro10 said:

    I too am halfway through chemo
    I had my 3rd chemo treatment today, and it thankfully was a day without any reactions. Yesterday I had my BP pill (which also controls the heart rate) increased, and I think that helped me not have a reaction. They also ran the Taxol over 5 hours (instead of 2 hours) and the Carboplatin over 2 hours (rather than 1 hour) so with the hour pre chemo treatment and another pre chemo before the Carbo...... it makes for a very long day. But it is worth all the extra time if there is not reaction. Now I will just have to see what happens when I take my post chemo nausea pills which include steroids twice a day for three days.

    I also got good news that my CA125 went down from 427 to 127. That made me very happy that it is getting closer to normal. The normal where I go is less than 35. I hope this chemo treatment lowers it even more.

    I am so lucky to have such a supportive husband who patiently waits and watches me while I get my treatments. He is always so willing to go to appointments. Of course we are both so hopeful of successful treatment.

    I will take a rest period and then start my radiation treatments back in Illinois. So many people say the radiation treatments are easier than chemo, so I guess I will find out. I don;t think the diarrhea sounds very pleasant, but I know you can take something for it.

    Deanna hope you are feeling better. Linda hope you can get your chemo treatment on time, but if you have to wait another week, you will have another treatment completed. Glad you got to pick up the grandkids from school. Sound like such fun. Marge sorry to hear about your neuropathy. Doug I hope your sister is feeling better, too. Peggy I hope you husband does well with surgery and you get answers to some of your questions. Teresa hope you are doing okay with your radiation. Did you find out if you will really have to be in the hospital for three days? Sharon hope you are feeling well, too, and your swelling and neuropathy are improving, too. Daisy good luck with your insurance battles. That certainly puts more anxiety in your life, which of course you do not need. You all remain in my prayers.

    half way
    I am so glad that you are halfway now. The radiation I got was what they called low beam and I still got reactions from it but I just spoke up and told the staff and I got he meds I needed. They told me to take Imodium but it made it worse for me. I then got a pill to slow the bowels down a bit and that worked well. I did not get any burning on the skin so I was lucky there, but the bladder did get touchy and I got a pill for that too. Good luck with the radiation and just think it's another bump in the road to go over.

    Living with hope,
    Sharon