My chemo experience Gezmar/Cisplatin
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Rick,
Hope today’s first Gem/Cis chemo went ok.
Tomorrow will be my 12th treatment. My previous chemo day (which I didn’t post about) went very smooth. It was my second time with just Gemzar and no Cisplatin. This is the way I have it now: 1st week both Gem/Cis, 2nd week just Gem, because of the problem I was having with low white blood count (my neutrophilis count). The Neulasta shots really worked for me, but the side effect was so bad the second time around my oncologist decided it would be a good idea to take away the Cisplatin every other time and try not having a Neulasta shot. It’s worked. Platelets did go down too low for chemo, but they always came back up so I never needed a transfusion.
I think I only have two more cycles left! Last fall I felt so awful during radiation and chemo. This time it has been 100% better, easier, etc. etc. I pray that it will be that way for you, too.
Whenever I see posts from Rick.Kamp I always read them. You did not know it, but I’m rooting for you.
Kathy
PS. By the way, was your total bilirubin over 3 last Friday? Mine was over 2 the day of my first chemo, and it was over 9 six days later with an emergency run to Rochester. My local doctor told me I could go into sepsis really fast if not taken care of. My total bilirubin is checked every time before chemo.
Kathy,
I’ve been following this posting so thank you for keeping it up. I start Gem/Cis today. Leaving in about 20 mintues to be exact. I am of course very uneasy about it hearing about the harsh side effects but I am hoping for the very best. THanks for your previous works here. I’ll try to add where I can see fit.
Wish me the best of luck!
Rick
Theresa….great news regarding the back pain. Something is working for you. And, finally you are putting on some weight. You went on your annual vacation? Theresa, I am thrilled to hear this. I am looking forward to hearing about the upcoming CT scan. Keep it up, you are inspiring. I also wanted to mention: long winded postings are always welcome.
Best wishes,
MarionMarion,
Considering everything, I am doing fine. This time, I feel fine in the mornings, but some evenings after I do the dinner and dishes, I am quiet tired. I do not have as much back pain this time. Maybe, it was the radiation along with the chemo. But, this time, I am having twice as much Gemzar as I did when I was also having the radiation. At first, I got very little sleep on the day of chemo, but this week was much better. In fact, my sleeping is improving — still awake several times a night but not awake for as long at a time
My appetite is good. The doctor commented this week, that he was glad that my weight was the same as it was when I started the chemo and that I had not lost more weight, which I cannot afford to do.
In order to tell you how I feel, we are already making reservations for our family vacation for next July. (We have to make them early for there are only so many cabins on the Lake where we have been going since my grandchildren were babies 13 years ago. Last year at this time, we did not make reservations for we were told I wouldn’t be here for July 2010.
But, after the chemo last fall and the MRI showing no new growth, we did make reservations. Then in May the MRI showed some growth which was confirmed with the Markers and another MRI in July and higher Markers that I should have more chemo. So, we did go on our vacation July 2010 and I started the chemo in August.
I didn’t mean to be so long winded. But I am so thankful that I am doing so well considering what is inside of me. I thank God everyday for his blessings.
Best wishes,
TheresaTheresa….I am glad to hear that you had a better experience this time. How are you feeling? Are you tolerating the gem/cis combo as well as Gemzar? And, how are you coming along with your weight?
Crossing my fingers for a fantastic CT report.
Best wishes,
MarionHi,
I had chemo yesterday in my port and it went better. I had the doctor’s appointment before the chemo and I told him about the trouble I was having with the nurse and the port. He assured me she was one of the best. He said he needed one with experience since she was the only one in the office that would be doing the chemo. He said he would discuss it with her. I, also, talked to the nurse and asked questions about the size of the needle she was using, etc. I had called the company that puts out the power port and had asked him why I might be having so much trouble. They told me the size of the needle that should be used and she is using the right size.I had called her earlier in the week so I could get Lidocaine (Emula) so she knew ahead of time I needed something. Anyways, it did go better. The cream seemed to help with the injection and she did not have the problem removing the needle like she had the other times. So, maybe, each time it will get better and better.
I know I haven’t posted for awhile, but I do check the board often. As I was reading from one member, and I agree, we do get so much information here.
I am scheduled for a CT scan in two weeks. I will have chemo again next week, and my week off I will have the scan to see how well this combination is working.
This time last year I had a lower dose of Gemzar along with radiation. It did not shrink the cancer but the cancer did not grow or spread either. Then the last two MRIs showed some growth so then last month I started the Gemzar and Cisplatin. I am praying for good results.
Best wished to all of you.
TheresaTheresa…..I agree with Kathy. Take along another person for the chemotherapy; someone who will speak up for you. In fact, it is really important to have someone actively involved in the care for you; an advocate. All patients should have an Advocate for whatever disease they are dealing with.
Best wishes,
MarionI, too, had my Gemzar/Cisplatin chemo today. Everything went fine. The Gemzar did not even sting going in. Still using the heating pad on my arm. Watched the move, “It’s Complicated”, while taking chemo. Makes time go a lot faster.
Theresa, unless it’s easier for you to go by yourself, I would try to have your husband or a friend go with you because you never know what might happen. It’s probably just me, but I always take an extra pair of underwear and my makeup bag with me. I use to go to chemo with my best friend who has non-hogkins lymphoma and she had an allergic reaction to chemo part way through that caused an overnight stay in the hospital. (By the way she was given 4-5 years and is now on year 10
) Then again, we drive 120 miles one way which does make a difference.Maybe you could take someone with you who could question this nurse more. With other people, I’ve sometimes taken the role as the trouble maker questioning health care professionals which lets the patient still be the nice guy and I’m the bad guy. Would you feel comfortable talking with your doctor about this? He’ll never know what’s happening with the nurse without patients telling him.
I saw my oncologist today and he said he felt comfortable if I wanted to not have a Neulasta shot the day after next week’s chemo. We made two big changes in doing the Neulasta shot and dropping Citsplatin for the second week chemo, so I’m going to try not taking the shot and see if my white blood count will stay up. Theresa described it perfectly when she said it felt like electric shocks.
I’m still struggling with gaining weight, even though my oncologist says it fine; he would rather have me gain weight than loose weight. I needed to loose some weight, not gain weight! The steroids seem to give me a desire to eat all the time. Plus, I think I have the mind set that food = life.
Kathy
I drove myself to chemo today (140 miles round trip) and did just fine. After last week, I told my husband, I knew I could make it, so he need not go.
Everything went fine with the chemo treatment. The needle going in isn’t too bad. Like Tom (Kentucky Jack) told me to take a deep breath and let it out and the needle was in. But, removing the needle today was just as bad, if not worse than last time. I don’t know what is going on, but it’s not good. The aching is gone in about 15 minutes, but it is still sore tonight.
Marion, it is a one nurse office, so there is not another nurse. I could go to the hospital to have it done, and that would add another 30 miles to my trip. It is very convenient to have it done at the doctor’s office as I have an appointment with him every three weeks. I see him before I start the chemo or during the chemo treatment.
If I change the location of the chemo, it is going to be awkward. I was hoping it would be better today, but it was worse. I am off next week.I am still fighting losing weight. I just have it in my head that sugar feeds cancer and fats are not good for it either. I am still eating lots of vegetables and fruits, fish, and some chicken, but very little beef. I eat my oatmeal every morning and whole grain bread with almond butter. Once or twice a week I eat whole grain pasta.
Best wishes,
TheresaTheresa….no pain…you are not to feel pain. It can be done. Insist on it. Ask for the nurse with experience. Good luck tomorrow, Theresa.
Best wishes,
MarionWell, it has been over a week to get back on the board. I had chemo last week in my port. Not too bad. It is still tender and when it was time to take the needle out, the nurse said she would have to press on it to remove the needle. Wouldn’t you think the needle would just slide out without any pressure. There’s only one nurse in this office and I don’t think she is experienced in giving chemo. (They just started giving chemo in the office, two months, ago.) I have been very tired, so haven’t spent very much time on the net.
But, I am doing much better this week and had my blood test today. Even though the white blood cells are below the range, I’m to have chemo tomorrow.
Marion, the nurse sprayed the port area with something before giving me the chemo, so maybe it was something to numb it.
I’ll let you know how tomorrow goes.
TheresaTheresa….I am happy to hear that you feel much better. I also wanted to mention that often times the area around the port is injected with numbing medication prior to the administration of chemo. Just a thought.
Good luck tomorrow.
Best wishes,
MarionMarions, no one said anything about leaving any tape on, so I thought it was part of the bandage so I took all the tape off. The port doesn’t move, it is just so sore to touch.
The nurse called this afternoon and said the blood test looked fine so be there tomorrow at 10:00 for chemo.
I had to take a pain pill during the night, because behind the port (my back) was hurting so much that I couldn’t go back to sleep. My left arm was also hurting, so the first thing I thought of was a heart attack, but I think everything was related to the port, for I finally got back to sleep and when I woke up this morning all the pain was gone.
I will see the doctor tomorrow, so I will see what he says.
Best wishes,
TheresaTheresa….the port should not hurt. Is your’s taped tight so that it can’t pull? Also, in order to rule out an infection, you might want to have it looked at.
Best wishes,
MarionHi, Kathy,
So sorry that you had such a hard time with your Neulasta shot. I can relate as I had Napogen shots the first time I had chemo. The first two went fine but the third one was a killer. Like you, I could not lay down nor sit for very long and was awake all night. I took a Tylenol PM and it did not faze it. Close to morning, I took a Vicodin that finally eased the pain. It felt like electric shocks going up and down my back and legs. It scared me for I did not know this could be a side effect from the shots. And, of course, it was on the week-end.
Hopefully, I will have my third chemo treatment on Wednesday. It was postponed one week because of low white blood cells and then last Wednesday, I had a port put in. The nurse thought that I should have chemo the next day, but the surgeon had talked to the doctor and wanted me to wait a week. I am so glad he did for it was so sore, I could not touch it, let along having a needle inserted. It is still sore, so I am really anxious about it this week. The nurse seems to think that she should be calling the shots. It’s a one nurse office, and I don’t want to get on her bad side, but she thinks she is in charge.
I hope I didn’t make a mistake getting a port but my veins were giving out.
Since the port, I have noticed a difference in my deep breathing and that my back is sore.Kathy, I hope you are feeling better. Hope your chemo this week will be a good one. We will have to compare notes
Does anyone have any pointers for me with the port. I read that someone used Emla(?) cream before chemo. Sure hope I did the right thing by getting the port.
Best wishes to you all.
Theresa
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