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Andrea Barnett Budin · 05-05-2007, 07:34 PM

Pat, I'm so sorry you have to go through this added turmoil and scary pain. Elevated white cells must mean your immune sys is kicking in to fight an infection. I am a firm believer in 2nd, 3rd even more opinions. I went to top docs, brilliant, that I loved and respected and they each had no problem w/my seeking added input. Finding the cause of the infection is tricky and as two heads are better than one, three, etc. are all the better for you to get to the cause.

I'd been getting Ct scans every 8 wks when on Taxotere (w/met BC into the liver and multiple tumors, after mastec and 4AC+8CMF 3 YRS EARLIER). The radiologist gave exact dimensions of each tumor each time. 6 mnths later my 3rd onc said bring me the xrays and I'll have "my" radiol (from NY's Mt. Sinai read them). He said he wasn't sure what he was looking at were tumors. They seemed more cystlike, filled w/fluid. I forged on w/Taxotere, w/all the miserable weak, wobbly, aching side effects. 2 mnths later my 4th once said bring me the Xrays and I'll have my radiol read them (formerly w/Sloan Kettering). Unprompted, he said exactly the same thing as the Mt. Sinai radiol. He said what he saw appeared to be not tumors but the dead remains of tumors. ?Necratic tissue. I went off Taxotere, stayed w/Herceptin only from '98 TO NOW. I have been NED (no evidence of disease -- STABLE) SINCE mAY OF '99. I guess my point is -- it really pays to make the extra effort, even when you feel like a limp rag to go and seek further input. I am blessed to have my husband to drive me. I lowered the seat flat and closed my eyes, barely able to keep my head up. At one point, at the 3rd onc, waiting, I put my head in my husband's lap. NOT a thing I would ever imagine myself doing. I felt soo sick. When we got in I casually asked, Oh and what is this bug bite on my belly? He looked and immediately said HERPES ZOSTRA -- SHINGLES. If you catch it early, as I accidentally did (not having my reg onc appt for another 3 days) you can wipe it out fast. In 10 days I was able to get back on chemo (as white blood cells were dangerously up, fighting the shingles). Cancer's a big puzzle and you must keep moving the pieces around to make things work for you. I wish you a speedy journey finding the cause of your infection, getting to the bottom of the conundrum and getting back on the road to healing and wellness. My prayers are with you. Sending love and healing energy... Stay strong (minded), brave and passionately determined to keep your head above water! ANDI

05-05-2007, 07:34 PM	#6
Andrea Barnett Budin Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LAND OF YES! w/home in Boca Raton, Florida Orig from L.I., N.Y. Ever hovering IN THE NOW... Posts: 1,904	Shaky Fever... Pat, I'm so sorry you have to go through this added turmoil and scary pain. Elevated white cells must mean your immune sys is kicking in to fight an infection. I am a firm believer in 2nd, 3rd even more opinions. I went to top docs, brilliant, that I loved and respected and they each had no problem w/my seeking added input. Finding the cause of the infection is tricky and as two heads are better than one, three, etc. are all the better for you to get to the cause. I'd been getting Ct scans every 8 wks when on Taxotere (w/met BC into the liver and multiple tumors, after mastec and 4AC+8CMF 3 YRS EARLIER). The radiologist gave exact dimensions of each tumor each time. 6 mnths later my 3rd onc said bring me the xrays and I'll have "my" radiol (from NY's Mt. Sinai read them). He said he wasn't sure what he was looking at were tumors. They seemed more cystlike, filled w/fluid. I forged on w/Taxotere, w/all the miserable weak, wobbly, aching side effects. 2 mnths later my 4th once said bring me the Xrays and I'll have my radiol read them (formerly w/Sloan Kettering). Unprompted, he said exactly the same thing as the Mt. Sinai radiol. He said what he saw appeared to be not tumors but the dead remains of tumors. ?Necratic tissue. I went off Taxotere, stayed w/Herceptin only from '98 TO NOW. I have been NED (no evidence of disease -- STABLE) SINCE mAY OF '99. I guess my point is -- it really pays to make the extra effort, even when you feel like a limp rag to go and seek further input. I am blessed to have my husband to drive me. I lowered the seat flat and closed my eyes, barely able to keep my head up. At one point, at the 3rd onc, waiting, I put my head in my husband's lap. NOT a thing I would ever imagine myself doing. I felt soo sick. When we got in I casually asked, Oh and what is this bug bite on my belly? He looked and immediately said HERPES ZOSTRA -- SHINGLES. If you catch it early, as I accidentally did (not having my reg onc appt for another 3 days) you can wipe it out fast. In 10 days I was able to get back on chemo (as white blood cells were dangerously up, fighting the shingles). Cancer's a big puzzle and you must keep moving the pieces around to make things work for you. I wish you a speedy journey finding the cause of your infection, getting to the bottom of the conundrum and getting back on the road to healing and wellness. My prayers are with you. Sending love and healing energy... Stay strong (minded), brave and passionately determined to keep your head above water! ANDI