While I wrote yesterday about my side effects, I somehow forgot about the anemia. Not that it’s subtle; it’s not. I had a couple of weeks when it was not severe enough to treat it with either an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (drugs like Procrit® or Aranesp®) or a transfusion, but most often I receive some kind of treatment.
My understanding is that the anemia I have is caused by a combination of the cancer mets to the bone plus radiation to my spine plus the chemo. My oncologist said that my ability to generate red blood cells is impaired, so I will likely be anemic whether I’m on chemo or not. Adding to the mix chemo that decreases the red blood cell count only exacerbates the condition. The lowest RBC count I have had was 8.2; more commonly it hovers around 9 to 10. When my RBC count is lower than 10, I receive treatment; over 10, I do not.
Symptoms? Mostly I notice the fatigue and shortness of breath, which increases as soon as it gets worse. I live in a loft with two staircases that have each 17 steps. Climbing these stairs is my gauge: usually I can climb from the first floor to halfway up the second at one time. When my RBC was 8.2, I knew something was up because I could barely make it up the first flight; when it gets that bad, I call my oncologist. Other symptoms include dizziness, headaches, rapid heartbeat, difficulty in concentrating, decreased sex drive and pale skin color. I have not noticed other symptoms as much as the annoying lack of energy.
I don’t think I’ll ever adjust to the lack of energy from all of this, and I cherish the days that find a little surge. I’m careful, too, with expending it all at one time, but, thankfully, learning more and more about how to conserve my energy so that I can get through chores or a day working at the computer or through the grocery store.
While I wrote yesterday about my side effects, I somehow forgot about the anemia. Not that it’s subtle; it’s not. I had a couple of weeks when it was not severe enough to treat it with either an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (drugs like Procrit® or Aranesp®) or a transfusion, but most often I receive some kind of treatment.
My understanding is that the anemia I have is caused by a combination of the cancer mets to the bone plus radiation to my spine plus the chemo. My oncologist said that my ability to generate red blood cells is impaired, so I will likely be anemic whether I’m on chemo or not. Adding to the mix chemo that decreases the red blood cell count only exacerbates the condition. The lowest RBC count I have had was 8.2; more commonly it hovers around 9 to 10. When my RBC count is lower than 10, I receive treatment; over 10, I do not.
Symptoms? Mostly I notice the fatigue and shortness of breath, which increases as soon as it gets worse. I live in a loft with two staircases that have each 17 steps. Climbing these stairs is my gauge: usually I can climb from the first floor to halfway up the second at one time. When my RBC was 8.2, I knew something was up because I could barely make it up the first flight; when it gets that bad, I call my oncologist. Other symptoms include dizziness, headaches, rapid heartbeat, difficulty in concentrating, decreased sex drive and pale skin color. I have not noticed other symptoms as much as the annoying lack of energy.
I don’t think I’ll ever adjust to the lack of energy from all of this, and I cherish the days that find a little surge. I’m careful, too, with expending it all at one time, but, thankfully, learning more and more about how to conserve my energy so that I can get through chores or a day working at the computer or through the grocery store.
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