Collapsed And Ended In Hospital

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morning ladies

ive just done cycle 4 of FEC. Last week i colappsed and ended up in hospital. Was found on the kitchen floor by my son.

The consultant think that it was because my immune system is low, my body couldnt cope. Have had lots of heart scans, etc. Doing 24 hour ecg this Thurs. There are lots of heart/stroke problems in my family. My dad had 2 heart attacks, and mini strokes. Both my grandmothers had strokes. Other cousins have severe heart problems.

Really worried now. I had 2 WLE surgeries, for low grade 1 er+ Cancer. The fec i am doing is as a preventative. Will be doing rads soon, and tamox. My BCN says i need to think of my overall health, and not just the C. Feeling too scared to continue my last 2 FEC. Has anyone had a similar experience.
eva

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forgot to say, i am 42. Already have other health problems - endometreosis, ovary problems (pcos), adrenal gland problems (locah), ibs,

constantly raised bp even though i am ok 3 diff bp meds. Constantly raised pulse - at least 110.

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HI eva-nicole
so sorry to hear you’re poorly and ended up in hospital - that must have been really scarey. You also just never know how you’ll respond to the treatment - some people sail through and others aren’t so lucky. At least you’re in the right place and you’ll be well looked after.

Take care and wish you a speedy recovery.
Ruby xx

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Did you have lymph node involvement? How large was the tumour?

the first chemo session knocks out the most cells, the next one a lot less etc, so there’s a law of diminishing returns as you have more sessions. So if you do stop a bit early I personally wouldn’t worry that much. But each of us is different

mole

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Hi. I got to number 4 FEC fairly smoothly (lots of little things really) but had number 5 and was in hospital twice with no white cells at all (0.4). The consultant i saw said my body had had enough and cancelled number 6. I felt that my present life should not be ruined at the expense of my future as i had a 1 and 2yr old to look after. They explained anything over 4 was “belt and braces” and as i had clear lymphs and no vascular invasion 5 would do its job.

So I guess its very personal. You may have number 5 and be reasonably ok or it may happen again. your consultant is the main person to ask and hopefully they will make aplan on how to proceed now.

good luck.

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ruby - thanks for your encouragement.

mole -my lymph glands were clear. My C was 4.4 cm, which is why my onc wanted me to have chemo as well as rads and tamox

evie - sorry youve been so poorly, too. Lovely to hear about the belt and braces, thanks for that! I was thinking about my overall health too,

thanks for the encouragement, ladies.
eva

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Hi,

I had a similar experience. I was on CMF and was on my fourth cycle of six. I collapsed and was saved by my neighbour, as I live alone. I did not finish the chemo. I now have oral chemo when I have to have chemo.

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I only had 4 out of 6 FEC because of severe neutropenia (score 0) and the effect on my liver. I was diagnosed almost 3 years ago grade 3, ER and PR pos and HER2 pos. I had radiotherapy and a year’s Herceptin and so far I’m ok.
Good luck
Anne

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marcie - sorry you have been having such a rough time with the chemo, too.

Annie - so glad to hear you are doing so well.

thanks for your replies ladies, they are really reassuring to me.
eva

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have seen my onc team yesterday, i will stop chemo now after 4 cycles. Waiting to start rads now.
eva

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AH eva thats a weight off your mind!
Good luck with rads

X

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thanks, evie. getting my tattoo done next Thurs. Im doing to ask for a daisy/or rose instead of a normal dot. (ha) dont think they will agree, though…
eva