Blood tests have become a very regular part of my monitoring/treatment regime. The day before chemo every three weeks, they run a full blood count to look at my haemoglobin levels, platelets etc. to ensure they’re at safe enough levels to go ahead with treatment.
Whist my levels have been markedly lower than in a healthy person, I’ve been lucky enough not to have a single treatment postponed.
At Round 6, my haemoglobin levels had dropped to 99 g/L, and my Medical Oncologist said casually “although you’re feeling pretty horrible, I wouldn’t transfuse you at this point.'” Whoa! Lucky I’d known a bit about this potential situation not to be completely freaked out. Still, not a nice prospect.
Sure enough, I’ve come through the last hit, but don’t feel well at all.
For a few days I questioned whether I was just sleeping on the portacath a little funny, or doing a bit too much. But even the most simple of tasks like showering, are wiping me out.
The lowdown…
FEC!
Vitals…
How I’m doing…
Bloods
I feel a debilitating heaviness in my chest, am short of breath, dizzy when I stand up too quickly etc. I’ve also had a temperature edging very close to 38 degrees every day since my last treatment, which in itself, is exhausting.
When I rang the hospital, Elke was very quick to organise another round of bloods. Marked ‘URGENT’ I waited for the result, for the first time really considering I might have to rely on donated blood to keep well. Ohh this little body has been through the wringer!
The result was that, yes – my levels had dropped since the last hit. Haemoglobin to 92 and platelets to 45.
Elke said while my Medical Oncologist – who is away, might have said ‘have a couple of bags’, the specialist covering him was reluctant. He said I’m “too young to go introducing blood products if we don’t absolutely have to, so try to handle things at home and hope I pick up in the next week or so.”
The orders are to lay low, avoid potential infection etc. not do anything strenuous, don’t get any cuts/wounds, keep an eye on bruises/blood noses etc.
Any dramas – straight to Accident and Emergency.
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