Thursday, April 9, 2009

I've got things to avoid

I got a call yesterday from my nurse practioner at CINJ that my previous days blood work showed low neutrophils ( white blood cells) and that I needed to take neutropenia precautions. Since white blood cells fight infection my body would have trouble fighting off a cold or infection in a cut. I felt a bit more tired this cycle so I had a feeling something was not normal. I thought it would be my hemoglobin.

This is the first time that I have had neutropenia since my first chemo in 05-06. So I pulled out the old "Symptoms and Side Effects" handout I got from CINJ and put those precautions into effect.
  • Avoid uncooked fruits and veggies
  • Avoid large crowds of people w/colds etc
  • Avoid activities that may cause cuts and breaks in the skin
  • Avoid walking barefoot
  • Wash hands often.
  • Take my temp daily. (If it is 100.5 degrees or higher I need to call my doctor immediately.)
  • Use moisturizer if skin is dry
  • Get plenty of rest
So yesterday I rested - read a book & watched TV . Today I woke up feeling more energetic but will be off the computer soon and resting some more.

Livestrong

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing! even if you receive news you weren't expecting.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hello Dee, First love your blog , Im reading it with great interest, I too go to the cancer institute of NJ, I was cancer free stage 3c ovarian for 3 years, I just just had a biospy done by Dr Batsides and her confirmed it was ovarian cancer. I have 2 small spots one is 1.3 cm one is 1 cm in my lymph in my chest.
My doctors Dr Nieves, And Dr Rodrigez are my doctors, they ordered the Carbo/Taxol again with a blind Avastin trial, I start this tues there. Im so delighted your doing well and with keep you in my prayers.
Hugs Cher