Hospitalized...was so scared!

2

Comments

  • angelsbaby
    angelsbaby Member Posts: 1,165 Member
    #22
    Shayenne said:

    Good News!
    That certainly is encouraging news, glad she's been NED! good for her, I am trying to stay positive, and pray all the time, I actually talk to God like he's just a good friend sitting with me through everything..he got me through the hospital, and he'll get me through the scans, I hope your scans come out spotless, and hope it's shrinking as well, I hope mine is as well, we will always hope and stay positive, no matter what, you can keep knocking me down only for so long before I come out swinging ;)

    Good luck to you, you hang in there too, my prayers are with you as well!

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna

    good news
    I am glad you are feeling better, that must of been scarey.

    michelle
  • CherylHutch
    CherylHutch Member Posts: 1,375
    #23
    Shayenne said:

    Thanks Everyone...
    Thanks Cheryl, I had no idea even going outside would also be good for the immune system, you're right, I'm letting this beast scare me now, and can't let it, I don't know if I could stay indoors anyway, I think psychologically it would drive me insane! I know sometimes I'm going to get infections, and get sick, but I guess the feeling of it happening and shaking like that really scared me, and wow, It will always be in the back of my mind what can happen now...I won't stay in, but I really have to help my immune system get up there.

    And yeah Sheri, another scary thing..the scans, I guess when I see her on Wednesday she will want to schedule some scans, since I'm coming up on my 3rd treatment, another worrying, I would love to have good news for a change, that's for sure, after you go through all these bad things, within a few months of each other, you wonder if you'll ever hear any good news, I swear I have this big black cloud over me that must just follow me, I was crying so bad in the ER room to a nurse, she felt so bad, telling me to let it out, sometimes we just need a good cry, and after all I been through, you need to just cry, so I did, and I felt better, she was a gem. I just pray now for something GOOD to happen!

    I figure the way my hubby drives (like Farmer Brown on a tractor) the ambulance would definitely get me there faster, and if I shakes and spasms that could have led me passing out or something (like if hubby was driving) he wouldn't know what to do with me or stabilize me or anything, he would have panicked..they got me there quick and were able to keep an eye on me, I'd probably always do that if I had too.

    Thanks for your comments everyone, I guess my immune system will never be what it was now, but after treatments, does it get better? or does anything in the immune system ever appear even during treatments to fight off anything? I hope I can do more to boost it.

    Hugssss,
    Donna

    Attitude Readjustment :)
    Hey Donna.. never say "never" :)

    >> "I guess my immune system will never be what it was, but after treatments, does it get better?"

    Now, now, now... what kind of thinking is that? If you weren't on chemo and had this abscessed tooth... and you had to leave it as long as you did, even though you were put on antibiotics, guess what? You, more than likely, would have had the exact same reaction and would have ended up in the hospital while they gave you the super duper IV antibiotics. This happens more often than one would imagine... same as other kinds of infections like cysts, etc. When that happens, one doesn't think, "Oh dear... my immune system didn't kick in so I am probably going to have to deal with serious infections over and over again". Nooo... we just think, "Bummer! Bad timing! Glad I went to the hospital and they got it under control."

    Sure, chemo "can" compromise your immune system, just because of the nature of the medication. But there are just as many of us where it didn't compromise, or didn't compromise to the point it was a problem. I think, like everything else, it's the luck of the draw. But you can't say having had the abscessed tooth and ending up in the hospital is because your immune system wasn't working... I bet dollars to donuts you would have had the same reaction without the chemo... and there's no way an abscessed tooth would ever get better on it's own, no matter how healthy your immune system was ;)

    And, in answer to your question... yes, your immune system will rebuild itself after treatments are finished. It actually starts rebuilding itself when you stop a treatment but it no sooner gets started and we hit it with the next treatment. That is done on purpose... to kill off the cancer cells, the chemo also kills off the good cells. The good cells regenerate, but just as they start regenerating, we hit them with the next treatment.

    Just as an interesting tidbit. I used to get bronchitis fairly regularly (have had bronchial pneumonia 4 times in my life) and would catch a cold at least twice/year. If someone had a bug, I'd usually get it too. So, I was a little leary about chemo... I was probably going to get hit hard! Well, I don't know what the answer is, maybe the regeneration of all new cells over the course of my chemo treatments ?? But since I started chemo in March 2007 (finished at the end of Oct 2007) I haven't had one bout of bronchitis or one cold. I've gotten the sniffles as if a cold was coming on, but then after 24 hours or so of sniffles, it goes away. Meanwhile, everyone around me who is supposedly healthy, is catching every bug that goes around!!

    No, I have no explanation for this, but I'm beginning to think Chemo was a good thing for me .

    So never say "never"... and don't dwell on the "what ifs"... dwell on the positives! We are what we think so always direct the energy into thinking what you want, not what you don't want :)

    Huggggggs,

    Cheryl
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #24
    CherylHutch said:

    Attitude Readjustment :)
    Hey Donna.. never say "never" :)

    >> "I guess my immune system will never be what it was, but after treatments, does it get better?"

    Now, now, now... what kind of thinking is that? If you weren't on chemo and had this abscessed tooth... and you had to leave it as long as you did, even though you were put on antibiotics, guess what? You, more than likely, would have had the exact same reaction and would have ended up in the hospital while they gave you the super duper IV antibiotics. This happens more often than one would imagine... same as other kinds of infections like cysts, etc. When that happens, one doesn't think, "Oh dear... my immune system didn't kick in so I am probably going to have to deal with serious infections over and over again". Nooo... we just think, "Bummer! Bad timing! Glad I went to the hospital and they got it under control."

    Sure, chemo "can" compromise your immune system, just because of the nature of the medication. But there are just as many of us where it didn't compromise, or didn't compromise to the point it was a problem. I think, like everything else, it's the luck of the draw. But you can't say having had the abscessed tooth and ending up in the hospital is because your immune system wasn't working... I bet dollars to donuts you would have had the same reaction without the chemo... and there's no way an abscessed tooth would ever get better on it's own, no matter how healthy your immune system was ;)

    And, in answer to your question... yes, your immune system will rebuild itself after treatments are finished. It actually starts rebuilding itself when you stop a treatment but it no sooner gets started and we hit it with the next treatment. That is done on purpose... to kill off the cancer cells, the chemo also kills off the good cells. The good cells regenerate, but just as they start regenerating, we hit them with the next treatment.

    Just as an interesting tidbit. I used to get bronchitis fairly regularly (have had bronchial pneumonia 4 times in my life) and would catch a cold at least twice/year. If someone had a bug, I'd usually get it too. So, I was a little leary about chemo... I was probably going to get hit hard! Well, I don't know what the answer is, maybe the regeneration of all new cells over the course of my chemo treatments ?? But since I started chemo in March 2007 (finished at the end of Oct 2007) I haven't had one bout of bronchitis or one cold. I've gotten the sniffles as if a cold was coming on, but then after 24 hours or so of sniffles, it goes away. Meanwhile, everyone around me who is supposedly healthy, is catching every bug that goes around!!

    No, I have no explanation for this, but I'm beginning to think Chemo was a good thing for me .

    So never say "never"... and don't dwell on the "what ifs"... dwell on the positives! We are what we think so always direct the energy into thinking what you want, not what you don't want :)

    Huggggggs,

    Cheryl

    Cheryl, Your posts...
    ...are always so encouraging, and you make more sense then any doctors do, I'd rather have you as my doctor! haha...I have gotten some runny noses as well where I think a cold is coming on, but nothing ever happens, I keep thinking the immune system is so empty once chemo hits, that there's nothing there fighting it, but I forget new cells are regenerating!

    Thanks for that, you and others make my day each time I read a post of yours! thanks for being there for us scared newbies!

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #25
    wow
    Hi Donna,

    I'm just reading your post the morning of the 16th- wow- this board is so active that if I miss it for even a day, I miss lots and lots of posts.
    I'm so sorry you had to go through that! As others have said, you're now quite aware that you're prone to infection, so you will need to be ultra careful from now on with exposure to illnesses, washing hands, using germicide, etc. I'm also glad to hear you're home from the hospital safe and sound. Hope all goes well with getting chemo this week.

    You take care of yourself-
    Lisa
  • krystiesq
    krystiesq Member Posts: 240 Member
    #26
    My goodness...!!!!!!
    Well, you're right, if it isn't one thing, it's another. I'm glad you are out and getting back in the swing of things. Sorry you had to go through that!
  • butterfly23
    butterfly23 Member Posts: 256
    #27
    oh my!
    Hi Donna,
    I'm sorry to hear about your hospital visit. I 'm glad you are doing better, I can only imagine how frightened you were! p.s. my nose is runny all the time, I never seem to get a cold, maybe another wonderful side effect from chemo. I hope you feel better soon!!
    Karyn
  • rrob
    rrob Member Posts: 158
    #28
    Shayenne said:

    Thanks Everyone...
    Thanks Cheryl, I had no idea even going outside would also be good for the immune system, you're right, I'm letting this beast scare me now, and can't let it, I don't know if I could stay indoors anyway, I think psychologically it would drive me insane! I know sometimes I'm going to get infections, and get sick, but I guess the feeling of it happening and shaking like that really scared me, and wow, It will always be in the back of my mind what can happen now...I won't stay in, but I really have to help my immune system get up there.

    And yeah Sheri, another scary thing..the scans, I guess when I see her on Wednesday she will want to schedule some scans, since I'm coming up on my 3rd treatment, another worrying, I would love to have good news for a change, that's for sure, after you go through all these bad things, within a few months of each other, you wonder if you'll ever hear any good news, I swear I have this big black cloud over me that must just follow me, I was crying so bad in the ER room to a nurse, she felt so bad, telling me to let it out, sometimes we just need a good cry, and after all I been through, you need to just cry, so I did, and I felt better, she was a gem. I just pray now for something GOOD to happen!

    I figure the way my hubby drives (like Farmer Brown on a tractor) the ambulance would definitely get me there faster, and if I shakes and spasms that could have led me passing out or something (like if hubby was driving) he wouldn't know what to do with me or stabilize me or anything, he would have panicked..they got me there quick and were able to keep an eye on me, I'd probably always do that if I had too.

    Thanks for your comments everyone, I guess my immune system will never be what it was now, but after treatments, does it get better? or does anything in the immune system ever appear even during treatments to fight off anything? I hope I can do more to boost it.

    Hugssss,
    Donna

    Immune system
    Donna,

    I'm sorry you've had such a rough time. I'm stage iv too and I finished my chemo in June 2008. My immune system has responded really well to life after chemo. I started back to finish my classes in Aug. 2008 and have not had any bugs, etc. I was really careful to avoid sick people if possible and I carried a small hand sanitizer with me and used it all the time, especially at the grocery store, after pumping gas, and after using the ATM. Any time I felt I was touching something that lots of other people had touched, I used my hand sanitizer. My immune system has done so well that both of my sons had the flu the last couple of months and I didn't catch it! Pretty amazing, but I think it shows that we can bounce back. The only thing I've had is a bladder infection, so I've been very lucky. Good luck and keep on fighting!

    Rebecca
  • jenalynet
    jenalynet Member Posts: 361 Member
    #29
    Good to read..
    Hi,
    Happy to read that you are doing better now. It seems to always be something but we keep plugging away at this disease..YES !!!..Hugs to you, Audrey.
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #30
    rrob said:

    Immune system
    Donna,

    I'm sorry you've had such a rough time. I'm stage iv too and I finished my chemo in June 2008. My immune system has responded really well to life after chemo. I started back to finish my classes in Aug. 2008 and have not had any bugs, etc. I was really careful to avoid sick people if possible and I carried a small hand sanitizer with me and used it all the time, especially at the grocery store, after pumping gas, and after using the ATM. Any time I felt I was touching something that lots of other people had touched, I used my hand sanitizer. My immune system has done so well that both of my sons had the flu the last couple of months and I didn't catch it! Pretty amazing, but I think it shows that we can bounce back. The only thing I've had is a bladder infection, so I've been very lucky. Good luck and keep on fighting!

    Rebecca

    I do too....
    ....I been a fanatic with the hand sanitizer, and trying to keep gloves on or napkins in my pocket to open doors even, (or sometimes my sleeve, I wont use my hands), I've also learned to stop being fidgity and keep my hands away from my face, even if there is a piece of hair going into my eye, I try and use my arms haha..

    My kids and hubby I had to get into the habit of always using the Antibacterial soap pump and then the sanitizer to try washing their hands as much as they can, I know my little ones think it's a pain, but oh well, I tell them it's to help them not get sick, and they understand alittle better :)

    Good thing about not catching the flu, I been lucky, none of my kids have been sick this year, and it's probably due to all the handwashing! Thanks so much for the comment, I am pretty sure my immune system will be great, God is watching and helped me through my infection at the hospital, and he will see me through this as well!

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
  • kimby
    kimby Member Posts: 797
    #31
    Sorry
    Donna,

    I've been away from the computer for a few days and come back to this! Infections are nasty and scary. I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that. It happens sometimes no matter how careful you are...just glad you're doing better now.

    Hugs,

    Kimby
  • jenben59
    jenben59 Member Posts: 136 Member
    #32
    Thinking of you
    Shayenne, Bless your heart. I'm thinking of you. I've only finished my fourth chemo, but when I read the posts, my side effects are nothing compared to so many others. I have read of severe situations, but yours is the first I've read on this message board. I take every precaution to avoid anything that will cause me pain, illness, etc. but, at times, tooth removal can not be avoided. I'm thinking of you and truly wish you the best.
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #33
    jenben59 said:

    Thinking of you
    Shayenne, Bless your heart. I'm thinking of you. I've only finished my fourth chemo, but when I read the posts, my side effects are nothing compared to so many others. I have read of severe situations, but yours is the first I've read on this message board. I take every precaution to avoid anything that will cause me pain, illness, etc. but, at times, tooth removal can not be avoided. I'm thinking of you and truly wish you the best.

    Thanks Jen!
    I try to avoid germs at all costs too, I wonder if the chemo even gives mouth problems like this alot, I hope not, I have good teeth, but I know those darn wisdom teeth should have come out a long time ago, I was always to chicken to get teeth pulled, if I had it done when I was younger, then this may not have ever happened, otherwise, I'm feeling better, and hopefully start back on my chemo treatment #3 tomorrow, hope they'll do it. My prayers are with you! I wish you all the best as well :)

    Hugggsss to you!
    ~Donna
  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    #34
    kimby said:

    Sorry
    Donna,

    I've been away from the computer for a few days and come back to this! Infections are nasty and scary. I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that. It happens sometimes no matter how careful you are...just glad you're doing better now.

    Hugs,

    Kimby

    love your new pic!
    great new avatar!
    mary
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #35
    msccolon said:

    love your new pic!
    great new avatar!
    mary

    Kimby!
    You're so beautiful, thanks for coming back, I always look forward too seeing you around here!

    Hugggss to you!
    ~donna
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    #36
    Were you able to have chemo today?
    HI Donna, I've been following this thread and wondered if you were okay'd for treatment today?

    God keep you WELL!

    Diane
  • usakat
    usakat Member Posts: 610 Member
    #37
    dianetavegia said:

    Were you able to have chemo today?
    HI Donna, I've been following this thread and wondered if you were okay'd for treatment today?

    God keep you WELL!

    Diane

    Me too :)
    How are you Donna?
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #38
    usakat said:

    Me too :)
    How are you Donna?

    Yes thank goodness!
    My counts were pretty good, except I need a boost to my WBC, so getting a shot of neuroplas or what is it called again?? I know we have a thread about these shots somewhere, but my hubby took my prescriptions to the pharmacy and I can't spell it LOL!..

    I would have hated to delay it again, it scares me then, thinking this would progress, and in the examining room, I actually had tears in my eyes, and asked her "how does one know if this is actually working? I have lost 24 lbs of weight, (which was due to the cancer.. I was swelling like a balloon, from my 120's to 152 lbs before chemo! and am now 126 lbs, which is normal for my 5'2 size)

    She then told me "I can tell just by looking at you right now that it's working, you are more comfortable around your belly area, the fluid is going, she then examined by feeling the cancer sites, my liver and then the belly area, and lower extremities, and my neck for swelling, and then said "I can tell you that the tumors are shrinking, the chemo is working" and then scheduled me for my 1st scan on April 8 I think it is, which will be a nail-biter for me, but it was one of the most encouraging news I have heard since I was dx'd at the end of January :)

    Thanks for asking, How is everyone here doing as well? it was 73 degrees and beautiful outside, hope everyone was out enjoying their nice day (If they had nice weather lol)

    Hugsss to you!
    ~Donna
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    #39
    Donna said ....
    Hey Donna, you said (Quote) I also got 2 more units of blood, since my hemoglobin was down to 8, and my WBC was down to 2.6 (End Quote)

    My WBC was 500 and my doctor wouldn't let me have chemo if WBC's are under 1,000. Just thought that was odd.

    Wishing you well, my friend!
    Diane
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #40
    dianetavegia said:

    Donna said ....
    Hey Donna, you said (Quote) I also got 2 more units of blood, since my hemoglobin was down to 8, and my WBC was down to 2.6 (End Quote)

    My WBC was 500 and my doctor wouldn't let me have chemo if WBC's are under 1,000. Just thought that was odd.

    Wishing you well, my friend!
    Diane

    The lab seems to go by different levels.. like (0.6-5.0) kind of scales, I don't ever see things labeled in the thousands, I'll have to get my paper from the lab tomorrow, I can't find where my hubby put it...but will let you know tomorrow what the rating was..

    The blood units brought my hemoglobin up to the 11's, and the WBC back up to 4.0.

    I wish you well also, and you're in my prayers, hope you get back on that chemo soon!

    ~Hugsss
    Donna
  • beachinmom
    beachinmom Member Posts: 73
    #41
    Shayenne said:

    The lab seems to go by different levels.. like (0.6-5.0) kind of scales, I don't ever see things labeled in the thousands, I'll have to get my paper from the lab tomorrow, I can't find where my hubby put it...but will let you know tomorrow what the rating was..

    The blood units brought my hemoglobin up to the 11's, and the WBC back up to 4.0.

    I wish you well also, and you're in my prayers, hope you get back on that chemo soon!

    ~Hugsss
    Donna

    What a yucky ride....:(
    Wow Shayenne, you have been through it. I totally feel for you...I am soo glad you are better and received treatment.

    I followed all the things you are about trying to not catch things. It worked for me, never was sick on chemo. I did stay in alot too, and my kids are homeschooled so we weren't around too many kids. But here is one tip i wanted to offer. My onc would not let me have a manicure or pedicure while on treatment. I wasn't happy about that, but I obeyed. Now after treatment, I have had two and the second one I was cut about three times. It didn't get infected, but bled and has been sore. So, just thought I would advise to stay away from that as well, could be a potential problem.

    Good luck recovering form this treatment.

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