Help!! I am going mad with worry. Have just completed 6 rounds of chemo - Taxotere, the last 3 including Herceptin. I have my CT scan on 4 May with results on 16 May. However, this weekend I ended up in hospital with high temp - they couldn’t find the cause of any infection & my bloods were fine. I was therefore discharged when temp dropped. Prior however, I was taken for a chest x-ray. My partner asked the following day about the results which confirmed I had a mild chest infection, they didnt appear too concerned. I complete the course of Antibiotics today, but I can’t take a sharp breath without coughing and am completely paranoid that the cancer has spread to my lungs. Can it do this so soon after treatment, if so what treatment is there when it spreads beyond the liver? 16 May seems like an eternity and I am driving everyone mad with worry. Should I go to the Drs??
Hello liw0396
Welcome to the forums, I’m sorry to hear that you are having a tough time at the moment. I’m sure the users of this site will be along to support you soon.
In the meantime maybe you would like to talk things through with a member of our helpline staff who are there to offer emotional support as well as practical information. The free phone number is 0808 800 600 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 9.00 to 2.00.
best wishes
June, moderator
Hi
I’m no expert but would say that it is unlikely that it has spread to your lungs while on chemo and it sounds more like a chest infection than mets, given the history you have outlined.
I’d be inclined to go back to the GP to get it checked out if it is causing you so much discomfort.
With regard to treatment if it has spread beyond the liver, it’s more of the same: AI’s or Tamoxifen (if you’re ER/PR+); Herceptin which you’re already getting and more / different chemo.
Hoping your scans are good. I have my next one on 9th with results on 14th so we can keep everything crossed for good ones together!
Laurie x
Thanks for yr reply, does help to get a different perspective. Waiting for results is awful. Fingers x for u too x
Hi
I also have liver mets and last week finished my sixth treatment of docetaxol (with herceptin and pamidronate). After my fourth treatment I was taken into hospital with high temp and they said I had neutropenia but it turned out to be a very bad chest inf so put on iv antib’s and given tablet antib’s on discharge. Since then I have been given antib’s to take after treatment 5 and 6 due to annoying cough and breathlessness left from infection. My onc said that I needed just a little bit of extra care to help me whilst on chemo and especially as the immune system had taken a battering. For us, recovering from an infection takes just that much longer and when it drags on it’s very difficult not to think the worst.
Maybe, like me, you need another course (or two!) of antibiotics to help you get over this infection. Please contact your onc or doctor to see if they advise this for you too.
Also, good luck with your scan (and Laurie too). Mine is 11 May so we’ll all be playing the waiting game around the same time!
Liz x