Currently on 5th night in hospital from neutropenic sepsis. Had felt awful after fourth ac round but presumed it was just cumulative effects . Day 7/8 I developed a temperature and went to a &e. In isolation room since have had several pints of blood and several bags of platelets and being pumped with iv antibiotics . Am due to start weekly taxol when I recover . Am seriously considering stopping treatment / sepsis would kill me quicker. Anyone had it and continued with treatment without reoccurring sepsis . Really feared for my life for a couple of days and not out of woods yet
YES, in 2019, after my third dose of EC. A constantly runny nose and a faulty thermometer led to delayed admission where, apart from the constant bleeping and nurses popping in and waking me up every hour for BP and temperature checks, I quite enjoyed my stay. Having said that, my husband tells me I was out of it for the first 2 days (which I thought I remembered clearly) and missed most of the drama. I was so relieved to be told I could be discharged (they were unable to identify the source of infection) on condition I had 2 blood transfusions. If I’d had the energy, I’d have leapt at the chance but I just said yes please. How I needed that blood! 4 days after discharge, I started my 9 paclitaxel treatments, then a 4-week break because I was practically on my knees, then 15 days of radiotherapy.
I’m really sorry you’ve had this experience. I don’t think the risk of neutropoenic sepsis is quite real till you’ve had it. The packed bag, the thermometer and temperature checks don’t seem to have much purpose. Now (sadly, I have secondary bc and indefinite chemo) my bag lies waiting, I take my temperature daily to shut my husband up but mostly I avoid crowds “like the plague”. I’m only too aware of how quickly things can turn around.
You WILL put this behind you. Some people do get it again but, believe me, the hospital will monitor you very closely and, if your blood results give cause for concern, your team will consider all the options such as a chemo break (I was granted a whole week!), a dose reduction or even stopping chemo. Having said that, their goal is to blitz that cancer as effectively as they can and sometimes that does mean pushing us further than we think we can go. I can understand your reluctance and your fear - I guess I was fortunate not to be aware of much the first couple of days - but your confidence will return, particularly knowing you are closely monitored. Once you get into your new stride, you will be able to put this experience mostly behind you and head towards full recovery.
Wishing you all the very best for an easier ride now (paclitaxel is so much easier than EC) and the best of outcomes.
Jan x
Sorry to hear you are feeling so rough. I had neutropenic sepsis after my first infusion of her2 treatment. My oncologist wanted to change the regime completely because of how quickly it destroyed me but I was adamant I wanted to give it another go since it is the best treatment for my cancer. She agreed to reduce the chemo drugs to 80% and try again. I didn’t develop it again after that. Have you spoken to your oncologist?