#37920 11-09-2004 08:55 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | OP  Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | Had my thrid round of chemo yesterday and get the next two weeks off.
three more rounds than another mri before the end of the year.
They called me today and want me to come in for a iron infusion on Thursday. I am enamic (spelling?)
Normal numbers are from 58 to 150, mine was at 38. Looks like the chemo catches up to you. This low a number even though I'm taking two iron pills a day?
Saturday I cut the lawn and every 15 minutes I had to stop and rest for ten. Felt like I was going to pass out, couldn't seem to catch my breath. Doctor is having a chest x-ray done before next infusion in three weeks. Anyone else experience this?
Danny Boy
Daniel Bogan DX 7/16/03 Right tonsil,SCC T4NOMO. right side neck disection, IMRT Radiation x 33.
Recurrance in June 05 in right tonsil area. Now receiving palliative chemo (Erbitux) starting 3/9/06
Our good friend and loved member of the forum has passed away RIP Dannyboy 7-16-2006
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#37921 11-09-2004 10:12 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 | Danny-
After 3 rounds of chemo I am surprised that you even tried to mow the lawn in the first place. When I went through chemo I had zip energy. I couldn't even walk around the block. Just when the energy would begin to return it was time for another round of chemo. Chemo knocks it out of you, once it is over the strength will return. Give up on the grass for the winter and you'll be ready to attack it again in the spring! Love from Seattle - Kris
SCC Stage IV left tonsil neck disection 3/02 radiation finished 6/02 chemo finished 9/02
Stage 2A left breast cancer 3/09, chemo and radiation, finished treatment 2/7/10 -Stage 2 right beast cancer 10/14 chemo and radiation
Every day is still a gift :-)
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#37922 11-09-2004 02:03 PM | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 188 Likes: 1 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 188 Likes: 1 | Danny, The Taxol/Carboplatin regimen kicked my butt pretty well. The 2 week recovery between rounds was a definite benefit. I recovered pretty well by the time round two started, but really had to keep an eye on the bloodwork results. Ended up on Procrit for low red cell counts during the second round. Got my last dose of Taxol the day before Thanksgiving last year, and since the side effects didn't seem to kick in until 48 hours after, I enjoyed a GREAT Thanksgiving dinner with the family. It sounds to me like your having a pretty normal response to the chemo, though mowing the lawn in northern Wisconsin in November seems a little off  Pray for a good hard frost, and take it easy until Spring. I'm praying for you that the chemo continues to do its job. Good Health Chuck
SCC Stage IV right tonsil T3N3M0. Dx 08/03. Clinical Trial:8 weeks Taxol, Carboplatin then Hydrea, 5FU, IMRT x's 48, SND, Iressa x 2yrs. Now 20 years out and thriving. Dealing with a Prostate cancer diagnosis now. Add a Bladder cancer diagnosis to all the fun.
It's always something
"Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it."
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#37923 11-09-2004 02:20 PM | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 89 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 89 | Hi Danny,
Sorry to hear of the fatigue, but then again, you're not doing too badly if you are mowing the lawn just after chemo!
I haven't had chemo, but a year ago I had 1-2 pints of blood before I started radiation. (They also started giving me weekly procrit/epigen shots for blood levels.) I was low on blood as a result of my surgery the month before.
I actually felt very good and was surprised at how much energy I had AFTER the blood transfusion. They told me it would take about 4 hours at the hospital. Well, it was closer to an 8 hour day by the ttime I was in and out. Apparently the 4 hours was just for actually being hooked up, the paper work and blood-typing and prep work, etc made it longer.
Its a lot like donating blood. Pretty painless, especially after all the other stuff you've been through!
As far as worries or fears about catching something or having some problem with the blood transfusion..... well, as you know, the cancer is a bigger and more real threat.
I'm hoping and figuring that the "new blood" will give you a boost.
I'm rooting for you Danny,
all the best,
michelle
History of leukoplakia <2001-2004. SCC lateral tongue 9/03; left radical neck dissection & hemiglosectomy 10/03, T2-3,N0M0; 28 IMRT radiation completed 12/03. 30 HBO dives Oct-Nov 04 for infections and bone necrosis -mandible.
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#37924 11-09-2004 03:02 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 274 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 274 | Dan,
I'm trying to remember here........wasn't there only dirt in the photo you sent me? That will teach you not to put sod down at your next house! As for the chemo, it does seem to beat you up a little more each time. I have noticed a real drop in my energy level since my last round. You should be fine when the first snow falls!
Glenn | | |
#37925 11-10-2004 11:48 AM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Danny Boy,
I had some of the same problems during my Hep C treatment and chemo. Because of the liver issues, I could not get iron and am not supposed to take iron supplements, only what I can get through diet. Are you eating your spinach, young man? How about a bit of liver (YUK :p ) and some good rare beef? I did get a couple of Procrit shots but have been on the anemic side most of the past two years. I took out my little camp stool and hooked it on the lawn mower handle. Every few swipes (or feet depending on the day) I stopped and rested. The more circulation the better the energy. People walking by always teased me about it but I tried to not take it (too) personally.
I have my new winter grass established now, planted about 120 pansies and ivolas a couple of weeks ago. I can now mow the lawn twice a week if I want to. I missed it last winter but am making it up this winter.
I am praying for continued miracles!
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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