First chemo/radiation treatment...

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2005
First chemo/radiation treatment...
22
Wed, 08-27-2008 - 8:30am

Well, it was finally done.  Dad went yesterday for his first treatment of both chemo and radiation.  A pump was placed into the port, so he's getting the chemo in small doses constantly.  I remember reading something about that here, and I have recently heard about it... so very different from what was done years ago, wow.


Went to visit my parents later in the evening, Dad seemed to be holding up okay.  Naturally he was very tired, but other than that, he was fine.  After the treatments he said that he came home and ate, he was so darn hungry.
I know that that will more than likely change in the days to come.


I cried some yesterday, became extremely scared.  It seems to feel more real now, that my Dad has cancer.  Sounds stupid, doesn't it?  I was the one who took him for the colonoscopy, I was the one to whom to doctor spoke afterwards.  I heard him say that Dad has cancer.  But only NOW if finally feels real?  He was diagnosed almost 2 months ago!


I was feeling quite strong for the past week and a half, and I feel myself slipping.  I don't want to do that!


Vida

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-09-2008
Tue, 09-09-2008 - 5:06pm

I have been there and done that, I have colon cancer and is considered stage 4 where it has gone to other parts of my body, before surgery the doctor told me I had less than 20% chance of survival , I went through the same thing that your dad is going through, Your father is hungry from the steroids that are in the chemo, I carried a pack around for a long time that pumped chemo into me 24/7, went through radiation, had surgery and carried a colostpy bag because they disconnected my rectum for a year, then had more chemo for a long time after surgery. It has been 4 years now and I feel great! I do look at life different now, just tell your dad to

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2005
Tue, 09-09-2008 - 6:36pm
Four years -- woohoo!!!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-11-2008
Thu, 09-11-2008 - 11:44am

My 37 year old brother was diagnosed about a month ago with stage three colon cancer. This has been such a shock...I need help knowing what to do. His first chemo was yesterday and he is REALLY sick.
He is married, has four children, ages 12 to 9 months. His wife is a teacher and is back to school. My mom is with him during the day. Now folks, what the heck should I be doing? The community outpouring of support has been impressive, so there are meals being delivered regularly. I offered to bring DVD's, but he says he has plenty. I don't like not doing something. Any thoughts? And I agree Vida, it does seem more real now, after some "down time"....Its got a surreal quality to it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2005
Thu, 09-11-2008 - 12:54pm

Hi again...
I've been "off" for a few days...


allygator59, I'm so very sorry about your dad's deciding against treatment and his passing, my heart goes out to you.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2005
Wed, 09-17-2008 - 7:25pm
How are things going, Vida?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2005
Wed, 09-17-2008 - 9:16pm

Thanks, Cindi, for asking.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-18-2008
Thu, 09-18-2008 - 8:48am

Good Morning. I am a breast cancer survivor. I found out in June of 2000 I had invasive lobular carsinoma.


I had both my breasts removed and got new breasts. I'm happy!


I had 8 chemo, 30 radiation, I took tomaxifen for 5 years and now I'm taking femura. I may be on meds for the rest of my life as

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2005
Thu, 09-18-2008 - 11:39am

The thing with some cancer treatments, is that we get sicker before we get better.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2005
Thu, 09-18-2008 - 11:42am

An eight year survivor -- nice going!!


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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2005
Thu, 09-18-2008 - 10:03pm

Hi Cindi...


I am totally familiar with the "feeling sicker before getting better phrase"... *sigh*
I so wish that there WAS something more gentle NOW.

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