xrachaelx's blog

Delays!!!!

2008-10-01T12:13:43Z

Hi Everybody, I was due to have my third chemo yesterday, but my bloods on Monday came back that my white cells were too low to have chemo. My last chemo was delayed because my platelets were too low. I am really disappointed, i just wanted the chemo to be finished by next year, and now it won't. While this is just bad luck, it drives me crazy that i now cant get another chemo appointment for two weeks. They have put me on a list should a cancellation come up, but it worries me that it will be 5 weeks since my last chemo then and it gives the nasty stuff chance to spread. My doc says although this is not the ideal situation, it shouldn't cause any problems. His lack of confidence doesn't inspire my confidence, thats for sure. They have said that when i do have my next chemo, they will give me an injection 24hours afterwards which should stop my white cells getting so low. Does anyone know what this is? and has anybody else been in the same situation? Thanks for you help and i hope you are all doing well. Rachael xxxxx

First Chemo over

2008-09-06T10:08:44Z

Well, i had my first chemo just over 3 weeks ago, and i thought it went quite well, not too many side effects, achy joints and a bit tired but all in all not as bad as i'd expected. I've been coping quite well emotionally, the cancer had been removed in surgery and the chemo was supposed to be just in case there were any nasty cells left unseen, and so i always thought myself as had cancer, not have cancer. Just before my first chemo i had a ct scan, just for a base line to compare any future scans against. Anyway, was due to have second chemo last Thursday and on my Tuesday clinic appointment had the usual bloods and saw a doctor (not the one i'd seen on my last two appointments). He asked how i'd been etc, and i told him i felt fine and was coping well. My husband asked him if my ct scan was ok, and he said oh i'll go and have a look. We waited and he came back a few minutes later with. We found another couple of small cysts in your pelvis area and with your history we would say they're probably cancer, and also your lymph glands are enlarged. Well it was the last thing we'd expected to hear, and of course we were caught off guard, we didn't know what questions to ask and to be honest, the doctor wasn't forthcoming with anything other than we will continue with the chemo and then do another scan and see how things are then. Why did we have to ask for the results, if the scan showed a problem, why didnt they tell me straight away??? I had to wait then for the blood results so i could have chemo on thursday, but the nurse then called me in and my platelets are to low to have chemo and so i have to wait to see how my blood is on Tuesday. Is it common for the platelets to be low on the first chemo? I must say from being optomistic at the start of this journey i'm starting to have horrible thoughts. I think my poor husband is strugling too, he lost his mum to cancer 10 years ago, and his dad to cancer on July 15th this year, i can understand how it must be affecting him and i hate that i've got to put him through seeing me ill. He's just ploughing himself into work, but i could do with him spending more time with me. My family live miles away and he's all i've got here. I dont know what to do anymore. I've gone from being strong, to being numb. I think reading all of your blogs and knowing i'm not alone is the only support i have. Thanks for listening.

Thank you

2008-07-31T15:26:22Z

Hi everyone, Firstly i just want to say thank you for this site, and to all you wonderful people who have made it what it is. I found this site yesterday whilst searching for help and information about cancer/chemotherapy, and since then have spent the last two days reading your blogs. They have been very helpful and informative and you all deserve a hug for the help and support you show each other. I am due to start chemo (carboplatin & paclitaxel) for ovarian cancer in two weeks and i have been told about the possible side effects, but i've seen a few of you mention steroids and want to know why you have steroids (will i have to take them) and do they cause problems with sleeping. My father in law passed away 2 weeks ago to bowel cancer, and so its been a tough few weeks for my husband and so i'm determined to be strong for him, i do feel a bit numb at times though, as if its not me thats gonna have to go through this, but someone else. I think i've decided not to bother with the cold cap, i love my hair, but i would hate it to be in anything other than the condition it is right now, so rather than have thinned or patchy hair i've decided i'd rather have none. I'm going to the hairdressers next week to have it cut short, so it's not such a big shock when it goes. Any input regarding the cold cap would be greatly received. I look forward to speaking to you all over the next few months. Thank you xxx