Passing Out on the Porch
The Realities of Chemo and the Importance of Self-Advocacy
I’ve never fainted in my life. Not once. I’ve had surgeries, delivered babies, pulled all-nighters on emergency cases. I’m a veterinarian. I’m used to pushing through.
So imagine my surprise when I came to, crumpled on the concrete of my own front porch.
It happened so fast I didn’t even know it was coming. My niece was unlocking the door ahead of me—I remember the sound of her punching in the code. Then, nothing. Just blackness.
When I woke up, I was flat on the porch, dazed, bleeding a little, and stunned. No warning. No dizziness. Just out cold.
The Red Devil Doesn’t Play Fair
That incident happened a week after my third round of doxorubicin—what many cancer patients know as “the red devil.” It’s a pretty effective chemo drug, but it doesn’t come gently. It’s tough on your whole body, especially your bone marrow, which is where your red and white blood cells are made.
A few days before I passed out, I’d been feeling off. Weak, tired, more short of breath than usual. I went to the ER, and they ran labs.
My hemoglobin was 7.0 g/dL. For context, the normal hemoglobin range for women is about 12.0 to 15.5 g/dL. So yes, I was anemic—but they decided I wasn’t “anemic enough” to need a transfusion.
They sent me home. I wish I’d pushed back.
Know the Numbers. Know Yourself. Speak Up.
It’s easy, especially when you're tired and overwhelmed, to just accept what a doctor tells you. But what I’ve learned—again and again—is that you are the expert on your own body.
I wasn’t just tired. I felt wrong. And I should’ve said that louder.
The ER visit was an opportunity to catch the decline before it became dangerous. Instead, I collapsed on my front porch and woke up bruised and bewildered.
When I finally got to the hospital, they gave me two full units of packed red blood cells. Within 24 hours, I felt like a different person.
White Counts and My “Magic” Patch
It wasn’t just my red cells. Chemo also wiped out my immune system. My white blood cell count got dangerously low after every treatment. That left me at risk for infections—something as small as a scratch or sore throat could’ve landed me in the ICU.
To help with that, I wore a patch after chemo called Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim). It’s a small, adhesive device they stick on your arm or belly. About 27 hours after chemo ends, it automatically injects a dose of medicine to help your body rebuild neutrophils—white blood cells that fight infection.
I came to depend on it. The little patch was part of my routine, just like anti-nausea meds or hydration. It didn’t make chemo easy, but it kept me safe enough to keep showing up.
Closing Thoughts
There are so many strange, exhausting, even absurd moments that come with chemo. Passing out on the porch was one of mine.
But I came out of it with a reminder I want to pass on:
Know your numbers. Trust your body. Speak up when something doesn’t feel right.
You’re not just a patient—you’re a person. And your voice matters.
Yep, know it can be difficult when you innately know something is not quite right but can be difficult to say. You don't want to be viewed as some hypochondriac but also realise they are doing their best but sometimes even for the medical profession it is , albeit an intelligent one, a best guessing game.
You are indeed a survivor. Thankyou for your post.
Another great article. And what a scary incident! The ole’ Red Devil struck hard! Even 21 yrs later, I STILL cringe a little when I hear those two words.
I’m kinda glad I didn’t know near as much about the effects of chemotherapy on the body back then as I do now. Had I known, I would have been even more terrified of what might happen to me! The whole ordeal was terrifying enough as it was.
I have changed a great deal since then. Like you, I now feel VERY adamant that one must be a strong advocate for their own health! I’ve discussed this with many cancer and non-cancer patients.
I’ve found—for my own health and that of my animals, too—that being educated and prepared with credible research info and related questions ALWAYS result in receiving better heath care for me and my pets. And if the doctor or vet gets offended or defensive by my questions, I know it’s time to find a new one!
That’s one of the many reasons why I always loved working in partnership with you as my pets’ vet. You were never offended by my asking “What about this?”, “Why is that?” or “How about this?” Instead, you welcomed an intelligent exchange of info, questions, ideas and suggestions. I loved picking your brain! After every meeting with you, I came away so much more educated, and knowing that my animals were in the BEST of hands! I sure miss my time with you.