Infection

base61ball

How do they happen? I have been extremely careful, chemo going well. Had chemo on Thursday - Saturday felt like I was passing draino - "on fire" and felt like the pipes were corroding - don't even know if that makes sense. Dr. prescribed 500mg Cipro twice a day for ten days. Am concerned that this is pretty early for infections - don't you build up an immunity to the antibiotics after a while? I have a ways to go yet.

mmontero38

Actually, what is happening is that your blood cells counts are so low your body can not fight the infection. That happens a lot going through chemo. Keep the lysol wipes handy and wipe down every surface, door knob, computer, telephone, etc. I only had to take antibiotics once during chemo. After that, I made sure that I wiped everything down and stayed away from crowded places. If you have to go shopping go early in the morning when there is less people. If you are still working, take a tub of lysol wipes and wipe down your work area also. Hopefully, this will only be a one time deal. Keep strong, Hugs and prayers, Lili

chenheart

MM is right~ your white counts are so low that even a temperature of 99 will most likely signal an impending infection...during chemo, you simply don't have enough healthy cells to fight off germs. I am continually surprised at what DRs don't tell us, so here goes! Get yourself an instant read thermometer, and if your temp spikes to over 99, CALL THE CANCER CENTER! All bets are off during chemo~ what you would have taken a Tylenol for pre-chemo doesn't matter. Erase how you used to act from your mind until you have finished chemo. Keep antibacterial wipes or antibacterial hand sanitizer gel with you. Especially good for shopping carts, even hand-rails. It isn't likely that you will get an antibiotic resistant strain of infection, so put your mind to rest about that! You just need to be aware of your surroundings, and be vigilant.

Another tip? Do not be shy about calling your local cancer center! If it is of concern to you, it is NOT trivial! I called my center one Saturday at 3 AM! Why? Ok shy ones, I was constipated!!! I should have called at midnight, but I was embarrassed, for myriad reasons. Of course, my personal Dr was not there, but there was someone on call, and I was given the appropriate medical advice. This Dr was so empathetic and compassionate that I wished she were my personal physician!

I'm glad you checked in with us! Be well and stay strong, fellow survivor!!!

Hugs,
Claudia

base61ball

chenheart said:

MM is right~ your white counts are so low that even a temperature of 99 will most likely signal an impending infection...during chemo, you simply don't have enough healthy cells to fight off germs. I am continually surprised at what DRs don't tell us, so here goes! Get yourself an instant read thermometer, and if your temp spikes to over 99, CALL THE CANCER CENTER! All bets are off during chemo~ what you would have taken a Tylenol for pre-chemo doesn't matter. Erase how you used to act from your mind until you have finished chemo. Keep antibacterial wipes or antibacterial hand sanitizer gel with you. Especially good for shopping carts, even hand-rails. It isn't likely that you will get an antibiotic resistant strain of infection, so put your mind to rest about that! You just need to be aware of your surroundings, and be vigilant.

Another tip? Do not be shy about calling your local cancer center! If it is of concern to you, it is NOT trivial! I called my center one Saturday at 3 AM! Why? Ok shy ones, I was constipated!!! I should have called at midnight, but I was embarrassed, for myriad reasons. Of course, my personal Dr was not there, but there was someone on call, and I was given the appropriate medical advice. This Dr was so empathetic and compassionate that I wished she were my personal physician!

I'm glad you checked in with us! Be well and stay strong, fellow survivor!!!

Hugs,
Claudia

I wasn't running a fever - it registered normal and didn't have the spasms normally associated with a bladder infection - it just felt like I was passing steel wool or something - still does somewhat but its only been since Saturday night I have been taking the antibiotic. I am so grateful to all of you for replying - have been going over and over in my mind where I could have picked this up. Another reason I am concerned is after my surgery developed an infection and doctor said (after the antibiotic worked) that the strain of bacteria I had usually doesn't respond to antibiotics. Maybe I am getting a little paranoid. Am at work today - took yesterday off to help the antibiotic to get started in a safer environment. Thank you so much for the suggestions - will wipe down everything in the office every day. Blessings to all.

mgm42

base61ball said:

I wasn't running a fever - it registered normal and didn't have the spasms normally associated with a bladder infection - it just felt like I was passing steel wool or something - still does somewhat but its only been since Saturday night I have been taking the antibiotic. I am so grateful to all of you for replying - have been going over and over in my mind where I could have picked this up. Another reason I am concerned is after my surgery developed an infection and doctor said (after the antibiotic worked) that the strain of bacteria I had usually doesn't respond to antibiotics. Maybe I am getting a little paranoid. Am at work today - took yesterday off to help the antibiotic to get started in a safer environment. Thank you so much for the suggestions - will wipe down everything in the office every day. Blessings to all.

DRINK LOTS OF WATER. You didn't mention if you were on Cytoxan as part of your chemo regime, but if you are, that one drug is rough on the bladder and you can develop a bladder infection from that. What the other gals have told you is also VERY true. Keep things as bacterial free as you can and find out when your nadir is and how long it lasts (your nadir is that period of time after chemo infusion when your white blood count is at its lowest ebb). That will also help guide you on what activities you should try and avoid. Good luck. It does get better. Hang in there. Hugs, Marilynn

base61ball

mgm42 said:

DRINK LOTS OF WATER. You didn't mention if you were on Cytoxan as part of your chemo regime, but if you are, that one drug is rough on the bladder and you can develop a bladder infection from that. What the other gals have told you is also VERY true. Keep things as bacterial free as you can and find out when your nadir is and how long it lasts (your nadir is that period of time after chemo infusion when your white blood count is at its lowest ebb). That will also help guide you on what activities you should try and avoid. Good luck. It does get better. Hang in there. Hugs, Marilynn

How do you find out what your nadir is? I get a neulasta shot 24 hours after the chemo and at chemo time things are good so not sure how you find out this other stuff. Your help is appreciated. Water is no problem - I have a 32oz mug that I drink at least 2 sometimes 3 of water per day (because I am also trying to lose weight and water is part of that) Would cranberry juice help? I am on c/a - have two more treatments to go then 4 taxotere two weeks apart.