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Posted by Kathy (F) on 5/16/2012, 7:47 pm, in reply to "Re: 1st Round of Chemo"
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I couldn't agree with Carolyn more. I think she hit all the major points with regards to surviving chemo. I completed my last round on 4/26/12!!! and you will get there too!!!!
After my first round of chemo I got pneumonia. It took me several days to get myself to the doctor due to extreme extenuating personal circumstances but I know I was running a fever for several days by the time I got there. The night I went my temp was 103.8! I spent a week in the hospital and it was a couple days before my immune system was strong enough for them to realize that it was pneumonia (they said my initial chest x-rays were clear because what you see on an x-ray of a lung with pneumonia is the white blood cells...and I had almost none, I think my count was 50. I have NEVER been in the hospital, except to have children. That was the worst treatment of all for me. After that, I figured out that my typically VERY strong immune system was VERY weak after chemo and I had to protect myself by being smart about contact with others, etc.
I would add to Carolyn's tips that you must protect yourself from exposure when your system is compromised, you do not want to catch something. Also, one additional tip I would give you is that I found myself feeling like I needed a body sized heating pad and sent my daughter to the store for a twin size heated blanket. This was very helpful for the bone and muscle aches. I did spend time covering myself and then throwing it off due to hot flashes but it really made a difference with the pain.
It will be over before you know it!!!!!!
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