starting chemo on may 1 – any tips
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Thanks Kris. I did ask and he says that there is nothing more he can or would do. It might just be like this for the rest of her life. That s a huge quality of life issue for her. So if he has no medical recommendations, I wonder about other therapies. Maybe I’ll go over on the CAT page and poke around there.
Thanks again!
Melissa
Melissa: I don’t know what to do about swelling legs etc. But I do know my onc asks about it. I would call if it’s concerning you.
I just copy and pasted these last posts and emailed them to my mom. I told her that we need to rethink these normal activities and be a little more careful. She does not appreciate that this is going to affect her life but maybe she can use gloves when she gardens or clean bird poop now.
Thanks for helping me realize these very basic things. I have so much to learn!
Melissa
Kris made a very important point. Blood counts can drop like a stone right after the first chemo cycle. Chemo patients can develop infections from their *own* germs, because weakened immune system is no longer able to keep them in check.
My wife took every precaution possible when she started chemo. Yet she quickly developed mouth and throat sores (very uncomfortable). Our oncology nurse said that’s very common and that it could have easily been my wife’s own germs.
So yeah, bird’s poop is not a good idea.
Yes! Keep fighting and dancing Kris! And thanks for the advice…think like a germaphobe! Now, any suggestions for swollen legs that will not go down due to blood clots? That’s my next area I need to study.
-MelissaMelissa:
Yes, I seem to be more sensitive to the sun. Athough I really wouldn’t know since I wear sunscreen IF I go out during the day. And if she is already tan, it might not matter.
I have also become a bit of a germaphobe. I wash all my fruits and veggies before eating. This includes washing cantaloupe and watermelon BEFORE cutting them. Onc nurses taught me that one. They said the dirt will go with the knife thru into the edible meats. Better to be safe than sorry, right?And I went dancing last night!!! My feet and hands are starting to burn but I’m doing what I can. I say cancer has taken enough from me… it won’t get more without a fight!
Wow. Thanks Kris. I had no idea to think about the germs in dirt and bird poop but that is good to consider. My mom is also super tan and never wears sunscreen so I will have to talk with her about that. Are you more sensitive to the sun now, or what is the reason for sunscreen?
Hope you get to go dancing soon!
Melissa
Melissa:
It’s great that you mom is able to do all that after chemo. Just make sure she cleans well after working with dirt, bird droppings, etc. as her blood counts might be low. So she will need to be careful about germs. And also make sure she uses good strong sunscreen! I specifically asked my onc about gardening and she said as long as my counts were low to refrain from gardening, or to be very careful that I clean thoroughly afterwards. And if I went out in the sun to wear 30+ sunscreen.
And I say as long as she has no side effects, let her be as normal as she can be. On my tired days I take it easy. On my “good” days I go dancing!
Good luck to your mom.My mother just had her first round of chemo on Monday the 14th so I am here with you, at the beginning and wondering and anxious about the journey. My mother also tolerated her first round of Gemzar and Cesplatin well and is also on oral Xeloda every day for 2 weeks. She did get a UTI (urinary tract infection) and I am wondering what that’s about but it was affecting her ability to sleep. The day after chemo she gardened, she cleaned bird baths, she went out to buy a new computer, and she went to dinner with friends. Now, 3 days later, she is very tired but still going out.
I have heard that the second round can be harder than the first so I hope she does not have a false sense of ease about chemo but then again, I am just trying to stay present with it all and enjoy these good days and not prepare for the harder ones. That’s my plan at least.
Hi Ash,
Thanks for letting us know how your mum got on with her first session and thats great to hear that it went well for her. I am sure that after that session she will be very glad to get home! And please let us know how she continues to go with this.
Best wishes,
Gavin
Dear friends,
thanks once again for your support and encouraging messages. I am happy to report that the first day of chemo went off well. It was an extremely long day, with the IVs starting at 10 am and going on till almost 10 pm. First, there was the hydration IV, followed by an oral anti-nausea, followed by gemcitabine, followed by some IV to flush the kidney, then saline again, followed by cisplatin, followed by anti-histamine and anti-nausea med again.
She was overnight at the hosp, and is going home now.
Ash-Welcome and sorry you had to find us. I am a CC survivor I will be 3 years cancer free on May 24, 2012!! I have my story and another CC story on my FB page (Catherine Sims Dunnagan), there is HOPE.
I had chemo and radiation, both with very little side effects. I ALWAYS took 3 nausea drugs (compazine, lorazapam and zofran) so I had liitle if any nasuea. My chemo days meant lunch and shopping! I would become extremely tired abiut 48 hours later and would be wiped out for about 24 hours. I did miss a chemo due to low counts. Radiation was good till about a week after the 6 weeks were over and then I became extremely exhausted for several weeks. My oncologist also recommended a low dose antidepressant.
Lots of prayers for your mom tomorrow-CathyHi Ash,
Thanks for letting us know that your mum starts her chemo tomorrow. I hope that it goes very well for her and I will be keeping my fingers crossed for the best possible outcome to this. And please let us know how she gets on with it.
Best wishes,
Gavin
Ash,
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Kathy
cholangio…many good wishes are heading your way for tomorrow’s treatment. Know that we are here for you, anytime.
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Fingers crossed for tomorrow.
Please stay in touch.
Hugs,
Marion
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