Having rough time after only 1 treatment
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| Sun, 11-26-2006 - 8:49pm |
Hi - this is my 1st post here, but I've been lurking for awhile (since we found out my mother has cancer).
She was finally diagnosed with colon cancer in early September this year. This was after three ER visits, numerous doctor visits, blood tests and FOUR cat scans. In March she was treated for a stomach ulcer (1st ER visit after fainting). In April (2nd ER visit), she was told she had a small bowel obstruction likely caused by scar tissue. The doctor even said, when giving us the different causes of obstructions, that cancer was one of the reasons, but that he had no reason to believe that was the case w/her. May (3rd ER), kidney infection. The radiologist who read the scan also noted "mild inflammation in the cecum area, possible diverticulosis/itus).
Her major complaint was stomach pain. Finally, I told her we were going BACK to the gastroenterologist and not leaving until they found out what was going on. I had convinced myself it was gallstones. Not. After another cat scan, they finally decided she had a mass in her colon. A colonoscopy confirmed it. We immediately met with a colorectal surgeon and on 9/20, he removed 1/3 of her colon. A cat scan just prior to the surgery revealed "spots" on her liver and lungs. After a very rough night on the day of the surgery, she recovered remarkably well.
We met with the oncologist who outlined her treatment options. He gave her five options, one of them being to "do nothing." I guess they have to offer that? Her said with no treatment, the survival avgs 6 months, but with treatment, avg is 2.5 years. Anyway, he recommended a treatment plan of oxaliplatin and Avastin every three wks by IV. In addition, she would take Xeloda, a chemo pill, every day for two wks, starting on the day she had the IV. Then have one week of "nothing." She had the IV chemo on 11/7, but there was a delay starting the Xeloda because it is hard to obtain (red tape because Medicare is supposed to cover it because it's an IV drug, but they make you jump through hoops before they'll pay). Also, the nurses were not very helpful in getting it in time. So....her first treatment was a little screwed up from what the doc ordered, but she did have the IV on 11/7 and started the Xeloda on 11/10. Because of that, her 2nd treatment will be on 11/28 (as opposed to 11/21).
Anyway....the first few days after chemo, she was dragging, but doing fairly well. Then, she had a few days of actually feeling pretty good. But, these last few days have been horrible. She just feels horrible and has lost her appetite. She says she stomach feels "upset", but empty. She's VERY lightheaded. She said she expected some discomfort, but she said this was WAY worse than she imagined.
So...is this normal? To feel so rotten over 2 wks after the treatment? (Well, actually she took her last Xeloda pill on Friday, and it *is* chemo.) Besides the fact that I can't stand to see her so miserable, I'm worried that she might get so discouraged she'll be tempted to quit. She's had two "checks" and her blood counts have been very good (WBC, etc.). This is all so new to us and I just don't know how to help her. She has an in-law suite w/us, so I'm always here to help. I got some Glucerna, pudding, banana baby food. Oh, and one wonderful side effect of her chemo is that she's very sensitive to cold, so she can't even open her fridge. (That also rules out anything colder than room temp to eat.)
To complicate matters, she's a diabetic. Her sugar has run high and I plan on calling the doc tomorrow.
Sorry for the long post, but you can probably tell I'm really stressed. I feel so bad for her. She has a VERY high tolerance for pain, so I know she must really be hurting.
Also, are the side effects of chemo cumulative? Meaning, if she feels this rotten after only one treatment, does that mean she'll be worse after more?
I will add that my sister's MIL started chemo in August for NH Lymphoma. Her first two treatments were awful (she ended up in the hospital after both). They adjusted her chemo, gave her Neuplasta (sp?) and her 3/4 treatments went very well. I'm hoping that's some encouragement for us?
Thanks for listening.
Edited 11/27/2006 7:55 am ET by puppy_dog_tails

I am glad you dropped in so we can help you.
I could say a million things to you. I just went thru chemo a year ago. I was in bed for 9 entire months. Could NOT lift my head off the pillow. too sick to even watch t.v. Don't worry so much about your mom being sick...she is going to be sick. Chemo makes you sick..it kills cells and it also kills cancer cells. Just be there for her. She will not know what to do for herself. Try to give her as much food as she can tolerate. Maybe make smoothies for her with some protein powder. she needs all the nutrients she can get. i had a hard time with insure or boost. Just stick close to her and understand this is totally normal for a cancer patient. this sounds very personal but she will be on pain drugs Make SURE she has bowel movements. I was not monitored because we just did not know any better. Go to a health store and talk to them about what to do for her. Talk to everyone you can get info. I was constantly dehydrated...make sure she drinks and drinks water but if she gets dehydrated take her in and get her an IV of fluids. Never be afraid to stand up for what she needs.
Deb
Thank you so much for your reply. It sounds as if you had a rough time - I hope you are doing okay now.
She had her 2nd treatment on Tuesday and NEW side effects. Extreme weakness in her legs (that night she had a lot of trouble walking - very "trembly"). I asked the nurses and even called the doc that night. He was the doc on call and said it could be the Benadryl they put in her IV?
One of the drugs they're giving her - Oxaliplatin (sp?) - can affect nerve endings and makes those who take it VERY sensitive to cold things - even barely cold. It gives them a very weird sensation - sometimes her throat feels like it's closing up.
So far this time, her appetite is good, but one of the nurses told us that patients typically go through a "NADER" effect on days 10-14 - when the cells (good and bad like you said) dying are at their lowest point. Since the chemo is targeting fast growing cells, her throat, esophagus, stomach lining - anywhere there are fast growing cells - are highly affected. I'm trying to encourage her to eat as much as she can now, in preparation for those days when she won't feel like it.
THANKS AGAIN. You speak from experience and that is the most helpful advice we can get.
Take care and God bless you.
My thoughts and prayers go out to your mom. All of these symptoms are very common. If you can try not to focus on the symptoms...if you tell her it is o.k. that MOST people go thru this it will be easier for her. Honestly I am the only person I know who was bedridden...my kids would beg me to try to get up. so i felt guilty for being sick. You are given a dose of medicine that almost but not quite kills you and then you are expected to feel good. I would suggest this for eating...I got a protein mix at the health food store. Mine is called muscle milk. i mix it with yogurt for a probiotic soy milk and fruit frozen like strawberries and peaches. it is cold refreshing and healthy. It has enough calories to carry her for two meals. If you have any questions feel free to email me again.
deb
Hi
You know, even if she eats a little at a time it helps.
Good morning. Thank you so much for your helpful suggestions.
So far (cross your fingers) this treatment, she's doing "okay." If the last treatment is any indication though, her worst days are coming up. But, she's trying to be optimistic and that's GOOD. One of her complaints was acid reflux/stomach pain and she found out she could take Zantac/Pepcid AC and that helped alot. Maybe this time - if it happens again - we can head it off sooner.
Since she's right here with us (inlaw suite), we spend most of our time together. I have two boys (9yo and one who will be 6 on Friday!) and they are in and out of her place (mostly in). Sometimes I think she could probably use more "quiet" time, but then again, it's probably good for her to have the activity, especially here at Christmas time.
The movie suggestion is a good one. The Hallmark channel has been having a lot of fun movies lately and we have a good time watching together.
She loves to fish and we have a cabin with a lake about an hour south of us that she LOVES to go to...I periodically talk about how we'll go as soon as the weather warms up. We also love to go to the beach and I hope we can go again this spring/summer.
Thanks again - I've heard people talk about how this is such a roller-coaster ride. The "not-knowing" is so hard, but that's life, isn't it?
Hi
Gosh are you part of my family?