Allergic Reaction to Taxotere

Today was my second round of Taxotere . . . and I had an allergic reaction :-(  despite not having an issue with the first round.

Yesterday I had routine bloodwork including a CBC with differential.  My oncologist called me because my eosinophils were high.  She said this usually happens due to allergies.  She asked if I have had any allergies lately.  I usually do not suffer from allergies, but I was moving some stuff around and exposed to a lot of dust in the last few days.  I was wearing a mask, but I thought that may have been the answer.  I did wake up to some puffy eyes on Monday too.  She thought we would be OK to continue with chemo.

When I arrived for chemo, the nurses commented that my face was red.  This is a comment I have got at most of my doctors/chemo appointments.  I have roseacea and fair skin so I do get red easily.  And the decadron that I took yesterday and this morning can also cause redness as it is a steroid.

Things started out OK despite a leaky filter that caused my IV to drip - but this was caught during the saline infusion.  The taxotere was then started.  A couple of minutes into it I started to get a little nauseous and feel really hungry - something that happened during round 1.  Then I got a really big pressure headache that moved on to feeling like my head was going to explode.  At this point I told my dh that I was feeling weird.  Then when my upper lip started to feel like it was getting bigger and I could feel my heartbeat in my lip I told my DH to get the nurses.  Two of them came directly to my aid.  One gave me oxygen while the other gave me some medicine and told me I would start to feel better right away.  She was right, but I dont know what was in there(I have to find out).  They also took my blood pressure and pulse which were both up.  They also gave me some benadryl and more saline.  They then kept me for observation for like 30-45minutes.  I was feeling better, but they were concerned.  I had to use the restroom and at first they wanted my dh to go with me, but I assured her that I felt fine.  She was concerned that I might get weak, but deep down I knew I was ok.  I compromised by telling her that I would walk slow.  And I was OK, just as I thought.

The nurse called my oncologist and she wanted to stop treatment today and try again next week.  I have to go in for a CBC on tuesday and will have chemo on Wednesday if my numbers are good.  This will delay all future treatments by 1 week meaning I will not be done until October 17th, sigh it seems so far away.  But it is better to wait than have another allergic reaction.

I was hungry, just like after round 1 . . .I went home and ate and took a nap.  I was then woken up by a small earthquake, magnitude 4.1.  I was not able to fall back asleep after that, but I hope that means I will be able to sleep at bedtime.

My face is a little red and I feel tired, out of it, and like I just cried or had an emotional reaction.

I have to give kudos to my nurses who were very quick to respond and took good care of me.  Even though it was incredibly scary and could have been disastrous I felt that I was in good hands and that they would take care of me and I'm thankful that things turned out OK, for the most part.