Sepsis

Kent Cass
Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Anyone have any experience with this during treatment? If so, would appreciate some info.

Some may remember my Cousin. Says he's got laryngeal, and swallowing problems was what first tipped him off a couple years ago. He's gone thru 3 chemos the first 9 weeks (Cisplatin), and now has been going thru the rads with second-level chemo(s). Just 6 more rads to completion, and along comes Sepsis. Hospitalized in the ICU Tuesday night, being monitored and w/antibiotics. Doing better, but still in the ICU.

Know Sepsis is also known as blood poisoning, and can be very serious business. Figure with the treatment kicking the snot out of the immune system, one or more of you may have gotten it, too. I got sick in week #6, but Sepsis wasn't what I had, so I am wondering about other's experience with it.

kcass

Comments

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #2
    Hi Kent
    I heard that it is some really bad stuff to get. There was another post here a while back asking info on this same thing.

    Sorry I can't help
    Hondo
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #3
    Sorry - No Info Here
    But April Howe might have some (mswjknyc - that's not her "name", but it's close). I believe her husband, Patrick was diagnosed with sepsis last month.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #4
    Pam M said:

    Sorry - No Info Here
    But April Howe might have some (mswjknyc - that's not her "name", but it's close). I believe her husband, Patrick was diagnosed with sepsis last month.

    Hi Pam
    You are right it was a post on 12-25-2010 by mswijiknyc the title was (Sepsis anyone else have this problem)

    You have a good memory
  • bettvan16
    bettvan16 Member Posts: 14
    #5
    Hondo said:

    Hi Pam
    You are right it was a post on 12-25-2010 by mswijiknyc the title was (Sepsis anyone else have this problem)

    You have a good memory

    Sepsis
    In 1983 my first husband died from Sepsis as a result of the Burketts Lymphoma he was fighting. The Dr. said his strong chemo literally ruined his imune system causing this. He was in the hospital when this happened and they could not do anything about it. When Elmer was fighting his head and neck cancer and became very ill they thought Sepsis was the problem. They then ruled it out before he passed away and said it was caused by the imune system and asperating pheumonia. I lost Elmer 26 years after my first husband, but it is very obvious that Sepsis or septic shock is a very serious problem.
  • Hal61
    Hal61 Member Posts: 655
    #6
    bettvan16 said:

    Sepsis
    In 1983 my first husband died from Sepsis as a result of the Burketts Lymphoma he was fighting. The Dr. said his strong chemo literally ruined his imune system causing this. He was in the hospital when this happened and they could not do anything about it. When Elmer was fighting his head and neck cancer and became very ill they thought Sepsis was the problem. They then ruled it out before he passed away and said it was caused by the imune system and asperating pheumonia. I lost Elmer 26 years after my first husband, but it is very obvious that Sepsis or septic shock is a very serious problem.

    Sorry to hear
    Hi Bettvan, I'm sorry to hear you've lost two loved ones to cancer. One cancer per person is bad enough, and it's heart wrenching to hear of any care giver who has gone through the process twice. I hope you are doing well with your new normal and thanks for what you have done and endured.

    Hal
  • mswijiknyc
    mswijiknyc Member Posts: 421
    #7
    That's me!
    Pat was diagnosed with sepsis before everything else came to light. He got throwing up sick a lot, got swollen along the surgery site, lethargic, had lots of problems eating a swallowing (beyond the post surgery soft foods). He was put on a broad spectrum IV antibiotic and it helped. From what I understand, until the docs figure out the bug broadspectrum is used. Once the bug is identified, then specific IV antibiotics are used. He will stay in the ICU until the blood tests clear.

    This is serious stuff. Prayers goin up. If it's caught early enough, it's no big thing. Treatment will be delayed until after it's cleared.
  • mswijiknyc
    mswijiknyc Member Posts: 421
    #8
    P.S.
    Sepsis usually comes from hospitals (go figure) either after surgery or another procedure. It's possible he got sepsis if he's on IV chemo, or had surgery to remove the tumor.
  • buzz99
    buzz99 Member Posts: 404
    #9
    mswijiknyc said:

    P.S.
    Sepsis usually comes from hospitals (go figure) either after surgery or another procedure. It's possible he got sepsis if he's on IV chemo, or had surgery to remove the tumor.

    Sepsis
    Sepsis is a serious blood stream infection. It can be aquired from the hospital (MRSA) and if so, it tends to be drug resistant. The treatment is long term (I mean weeks) of IV antibiotics such as Vancomycin. It can also happen at home to vulnerable immmuno-compromised patients such as those with low white blood cell counts. One point of entry for bacteria is the port used for chemo. The upper respiratory tract and surgical wounds are other sites which bacteria use to gain entry. I hope Pat gets well soon and I know that this complication can be pretty scary!
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #10
    mswijiknyc said:

    P.S.
    Sepsis usually comes from hospitals (go figure) either after surgery or another procedure. It's possible he got sepsis if he's on IV chemo, or had surgery to remove the tumor.

    Thank you
    To all for their input. Cousin got released on Friday morning, so was in for 3 nights with IV drips.

    He did have an Op after the three Cisplatin sessions that started his regime. A tumor had mysteriously appeared on the side of his head, and underwent an Op to remove it. Other than that, he's been getting the second-level chemo during this time of rads. There's gonna be an 8-hour benefit for him at a local town next Saturday, and think he's kinda hoping to be there for most of it.

    Thanks again- you are all the greatest.

    Believe

    kcass

Discussion Boards